Jacob H. “Jake” Underwood, age 98, a former resident of Uniontown, KS, and more recently of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, January 15, 2018, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott. He was born on July 6, 1919, on the family farm in Uniontown to Jay and Hazel McKinnis Underwood.
Mr. Underwood graduated from Uniontown High School in 1936 and Fort Scott Community College two years later.
In July of 1941, he was called to serve in the military. For three years he was stationed at Camp Polk in Louisiana with the 7th Armored Division. Before leaving to fight the war in Europe, he married Doris Patterson on May 9, 1944. They were married until her death in 2002.
He was shipped to Belgium in 1944 with the 106th Infantry and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a prisoner of war in Bad Orb Prison Camp in Germany from December 1944 and was liberated in April of 1945.
After returning to civilian life, he began his career as the County Clerk and later became the business manager for the Fort Scott School District where he faithfully served for 35 years.
Mr. Underwood was an active community member both in Fort Scott and Uniontown. At the time of his death, he belonged to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and Ruritan. Jake was proud to be a lifelong Democrat. He was truly an example of the “Greatest Generation” – proud veteran, devoted family man, and dedicated civic leader.
He is survived by two daughters: Susan Karleskint, Uniontown, and Mary Gregory and husband Brad, Bolivar, MO; sister-in-law’s Janice Patterson of Fort Scott, and Erma Patterson of Atlanta; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and a niece in Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Doris Underwood, daughter, Ruth Ann Burleson, brother, Gilbert Underwood; and brother-in-law’s, John and Byron Patterson.
Rev. Connie McKee will conduct funeral services at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 20, at Uniontown United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. Memorial are suggested to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.