James Claude Underwood Sr.

James Claude Underwood Sr., 90, of Meadowood Street, formerly of Lexington, died Sunday, February 1, 2015, at Moses Cone Hospital. A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Ray Howell 3rd and the Rev. Tommy Wilson officiating. A private burial will follow. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the church parlor from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Mr. Underwood was born April 21, 1924, in Cumberland County, to Charles Claude Underwood and Janet Currie Underwood. After graduating from Riverside Military Academy, Jim served his country as an aerial engineer in the U.S. Air Force. His ability to build and repair machines and furniture marked him as the original “Tool Man”. Neighbors and friends often sought his help to fix cars, mowers, or household accessories. Jim not only possessed mechanical skills but also friendly people skills. He was the personnel and purchasing agent for Lexington’s Henry Link Corporation as well as a Deacon at First Baptist Church. Combining his pair of God-given talents, he (along with his wife, Evelyn) led many trips taken by groups from First Baptist. He made sure the church’s bus ran properly, mapped out the routes, drove it on trips and made time to help make trips fun for others. Not only was Jim an elected Deacon, but he also was a loyal Wake Forest Demon Deacon. He loved going to games in Winston-Salem with his family and friends. Jim was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Civitan Club and held a leadership position on the Chalet High, (Va.) Residence Board. He never met a person he couldn’t or didn’t talk to. It seemed he always knew someone “who knew someone” the other person knew. He also was the quintessential driver – he knew where every town in North Carolina was located and the best way to drive to them, never needing a map. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn Shoaf Underwood, who died April 18, 2010. Surviving are son, James Claude Underwood, Jr. of Charlotte; daughter, Lynn Elkin Miller and husband Frank of Greensboro; grandchildren, Anna Marie Underwood of Greenwood, SC., Sgt. Blake Underwood and wife Lyndsay of Ft. Bragg, Lauren McRae and husband Jeff of Greensboro and Jonathan Dillon and wife Stephanie of Charlotte; and five great-grandchildren. Exodus 31:3 summarizes Jim’s talents and how they were used. “I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.” Memorial may be made to First Baptist Church Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 436, Lexington, NC 27293.