James Underwood

James W. Underwood passed away Sunday, April 5, 2020, at the age of 82.

Jim grew up on a farm in Stoddard County, Missouri, near Leora, graduating from Bloomfield High School in 1955.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 through 1965.

Jim received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Education from Southeast Missouri State College. In July 1987, he was awarded a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and MU Delta Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international professional education honor society.

A lifelong educator, Jim taught at Illmo-Scott City High School and served as principal of Oran (Missouri) High School. He was an administrator in the Columbia School District for 25 years, retiring in 1998 from his position as the director of buildings and facilities and administrative assistant to the director of buildings services for the Columbia School District. He was an accomplished woodworker, electrician and beekeeper.

Jim is survived by his stepdaughter, LuAnn Sitton Conner; grandson, Austin (Polly) Conner; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Adelyn and Clayton Conner; siblings, Dennis (Barbara) Underwood, Alice (Burt) Cofman, Doyle (Karin) Underwood and Brian (Carol Hunt) Underwood; and 28 nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha Lou Hall Sitton; parents, John M. and Frances Gillespie Underwood Sr.; sister, Nelda Underwood (the late Thomas) Simpson; brother, John M. Underwood Jr.; nephew, Mark Underwood; and niece, Jari Simpson VandenBerg.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Crossing Church in Columbia at www.thecrossingchurch.com.

Private family burial, with full military honors, will be in the Bloomfield Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.