Jerry Lynn Underwood

Jerry Lynn Underwood, 86, of Prince George, Virginia passed away June 14, 2025 at his memory care facility in Chesterfield. Born on August 29, 1938 in Hillsboro, West Virginia, Jerry was the son of the late Leo Howard Underwood and Harriet “Hattie” VanBuren Underwood. He was preceded in death by his parents and his 5 siblings.

Jerry proudly served his country for 20 years in the United States Army, retiring in 1975 at Fort Riley, Kansas, with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was an Infantry soldier in the 1st Infantry Division, completing two tours of combat duty in Vietnam and serving in the Military Police at other Army postings. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during both of his tours in Vietnam.

Following his military service, Jerry had several jobs in the Fort Riley area and was a civil service employee at Fort Riley before transferring to Fort Lee, Virginia in 1983 to briefly work at the Logistics Center. When he became interested in helping families with their life insurance and financial investments, he studied for and obtained the licenses to sell life insurance and investments through A. L. Williams (now Primerica) insurance. Before deciding to fully retire from all forms of “work”, Jerry was a friendly face at the cash register of the 7-11 on Crater Road in Petersburg. For years after that job, it wasn’t unusual for people to greet him by name whenever he was out and about in the Tri-Cities area.

Having grown up on a farm in West Virginia, he had a very productive vegetable garden for many years. His love of the outdoors took him back to West Virginia to hike and camp in the hills, but especially to enjoy hunt camp each November with his nephews Larry and Mike Hess. Always willing to hit the road to visit family in North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Kansas, and Colorado, RV trips to the National Parks and other parts of the United States continued to keep him active from 2008-2016.

Jerry is survived by his loving and devoted wife of almost 41 years, Barbara L. “Tish” Underwood. From his first marriage, he is survived by his 6 children Jean Underwood (Connie), Robert Underwood (Shari), Brenda Underwood Clift (Jim), Richard Underwood (Becky), Theresa Underwood Bramlage (Bob), and Russell Underwood (Chan’Tal). He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren Timothy Underwood (Isabella), Lauren Underwood, Michelle Cox (Eric), Michael Dietrich, Mitchell Dietrich, Joanna Underwood, Joshua Underwood, Jessica Petty (Caleb), Jamie Underwood, Julia Underwood, Jeremy Underwood, Bry’Anna Nachbar (Austin), Alexandria Underwood, and Kynzie Alexander (Gavin); 5 great-grandchildren Jace Dietrich, Brooklynd Mills, Silas Underwood, Wylder Underwood, and Heston Nachbar; and numerous nieces and nephews in West Virginia and Ohio.

At Jerry’s request, a private family gathering will be held at a later date to remember and celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to any charity that you wish to support.