Dr. Harold Lee Underwood peacefully passed away on December 18, 2025. Dr. Underwood was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Tesseneer Underwood, his daughter, Anita Richmond and his parents, six brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Underwood, his son, Roger Underwood (Teresa), his son, Greg Underwood (Abby), his daughter, Lynn Underwood, son-in-law, Roger Richmond, as well as grandchildren Emily Binger (Tracy), Dylan Underwood, Jesse Richmond (Samantha), Chelsea Richmond (Chris), John Richmond, Josh Underwood, Keri Underwood, Audrey Loomis (Henry), Andrew Loomis, and Helena Loomis and great grandchildren Trenton Binger, Ryder Binger, Delaney Binger, and Eleanor Richmond.

Harold was born at home on March 17, 1933 to John & Ercell Underwood in Tishomingo Mississippi. He was the seventh of 10 children. He grew up working very hard in a farming family where the school year was organized around the cotton fields, so the children would be available to pick during harvest time. He spent four years in the United States Air Force, which led him overseas to Japan in the mid-1950s. While in Japan, he would spend his leave travelling around the country with his friend Vic. Vic was Japanese American, spoke fluent Japanese, and he had a motorcycle. Harold took advantage of both of these for their many adventures around the Japanese countryside. He was recognized for his service with an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2018. After he completed his military service, he went on to get his higher education degrees from Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi, and finally earned his doctorate at Auburn University. In June 1971, he and his family relocated to Kingston, Tennessee, where he lived for over 50 years. He was one of the original faculty members at Roane State Community College. Many remember him as the Dean of Administration for many years there. He retired as the vice president of the school. He was very active in his community, particularly at First Baptist Church of Kingston, and the Kingston Lion’s club. On December 10th, 2021 he was recognized as a Roane County “Golden Treasure” by Proclamation from the Tennessee State Senate. Harold loved traveling, fishing, riding his motorcycle, golfing, reading books and always learning. He loved his family and particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, who called him “Pops“.

There will be a celebration of life on January 10, 2026 at Kyker funeral home of Kingston with visitation from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. with a service following at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or a Parkinson’s charity such as the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s. Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston is serving the Underwood Family.