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Tommy Irl Underwood of Kerrville died Monday, May 8th, at the age of 79. He was born in Brady, Texas, to John James and Irlene Elizabeth (McWilliams) Underwood on June 4, 1943. He loved growing up in Mason County on a ranch in the community of Grit and graduated from Mason High School in 1961. Following high school, “Tom,” as he preferred to be called, went to Tarleton State University for 2 years then earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Southwest Texas State College. He started his career teaching 7th grade Life Science in Weimer, Texas.
He married Karen Cunningham on May 27, 1967. They celebrated their 55th anniversary this past year. They taught in Weimer 3 more years then, in 1970, moved closer to Tom’s roots and continued their teaching careers in Kerrville, Texas. Tom taught 7th grade Life Science for 30 years. While teaching, he earned his Master’s Degree in Range Animal Science at Sul Ross University. He loved passing on his knowledge of science and the interactions he had with the students. He was a good teacher, loving husband, and devoted father. He loved ranching, hunting, and fishing. He and Karen were members of First United Methodist Church of Kerrville.
After retirement, he continued ranching on his ranch in London, Texas, which was a great pleasure…except when he had to fix water gaps. He began raising show goats for 4H and FFA members and was a longtime member of the Hill Country District Junior Livestock Show Association, Kerr County Farm Bureau Board, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers’ Association, Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers’ Association, American Boer Goat Association, Texas Section Society for Range Management, and Texas Retired Teachers’ Association.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim Underwood, half-brother Elward Bulger, brother-in-law Kirby Cunningham. He is survived by his wife Karen of Kerrville and son Todd of Spring; sister Patsy Zesch and husband Gene of Mason; sisters-in-law Cookie Underwood, Barbara Cunningham, and Lillye Ham; nephews and nieces Casey Zesch and wife Lucinda, Scott Zesch and wife Amelia, Matt Underwood and wife Fara, Zachary Zesch and wife Nicki, Ben Zesch and wife Raquel, Donna Lehman and husband Kenny, Mark Cunningham and wife Susie, Laura Martello and husband Eric, Judy Hammond and husband Robert, Terri Ayjian, and many other great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral Services were held May 12th at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville. Pallbearers were Zachary Zesch, Ryan Luebke, Lem Loeffler, and Larkin Loeffler.
He married Karen Cunningham on May 27, 1967. They celebrated their 55th anniversary this past year. They taught in Weimer 3 more years then, in 1970, moved closer to Tom’s roots and continued their teaching careers in Kerrville, Texas. Tom taught 7th grade Life Science for 30 years. While teaching, he earned his Master’s Degree in Range Animal Science at Sul Ross University. He loved passing on his knowledge of science and the interactions he had with the students. He was a good teacher, loving husband, and devoted father. He loved ranching, hunting, and fishing. He and Karen were members of First United Methodist Church of Kerrville.
After retirement, he continued ranching on his ranch in London, Texas, which was a great pleasure…except when he had to fix water gaps. He began raising show goats for 4H and FFA members and was a longtime member of the Hill Country District Junior Livestock Show Association, Kerr County Farm Bureau Board, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers’ Association, Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers’ Association, American Boer Goat Association, Texas Section Society for Range Management, and Texas Retired Teachers’ Association.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim Underwood, half-brother Elward Bulger, brother-in-law Kirby Cunningham. He is survived by his wife Karen of Kerrville and son Todd of Spring; sister Patsy Zesch and husband Gene of Mason; sisters-in-law Cookie Underwood, Barbara Cunningham, and Lillye Ham; nephews and nieces Casey Zesch and wife Lucinda, Scott Zesch and wife Amelia, Matt Underwood and wife Fara, Zachary Zesch and wife Nicki, Ben Zesch and wife Raquel, Donna Lehman and husband Kenny, Mark Cunningham and wife Susie, Laura Martello and husband Eric, Judy Hammond and husband Robert, Terri Ayjian, and many other great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral Services were held May 12th at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville. Pallbearers were Zachary Zesch, Ryan Luebke, Lem Loeffler, and Larkin Loeffler.