Thomas (Tommy) Huie Underwood - the legend. He died January 19th at the age of 61. The cause? Debatable. He would say he told us so. He was always "dying soon". Stubborn old man...


He was born in Portland, Oregon on September 6th, 1961 to Thomas and Elizabeth Underwood. Little did they know how ready for life he was, and the tales he would have to tell.


In the year 1980 he met his wife, Rebecca in Ripley, Oklahoma. I guess you could call them high school sweethearts. She was a witness to and companion on many of his experiences.
They fell for each other and would soon start their family.


Before the family became his main focus though - he fell asleep in church pews, had motorcycle adventures, accidentally blew up a car load of fireworks with just a spark from a cigarette, jumped trains in Enid and got a glass bottle puncture to the top of his head while playing on some stairs with friends. Times were different then. Did we mention he was a preacher's son?
He was our favorite rebel and storyteller. I'd give anything to hear him tell these stories for the 87th time.


After graduating from Ripley High School, he married Rebecca in 1983 and they had two children - Lauren and Meagan. We honestly didn't hear directly from him until later in his life that all he wanted was to raise a family. Cue the tears, please.


He went on to work any job he could find to support his family. He was a baker, fence builder, roofing guy and a night shift worker for Armstrong flooring for many years. His daughters would nap so they could get up when Dad brought home tacos to share.


When he wasn't working, he taught his daughters how to change a tire, check the oil, how to shoot, the proper way to clean a gun, to sing loud (occasionally dance even though he looked like an idiot doing it) and mostly - how important music is for life.


He didn't have a degree, but he didn't need one. His brain ultimately led him to a Research and Development Technician position at Landauer, Inc - a crystal growth division in Stillwater. His name has been on many research papers.
He worked and played hard, all of his life.


Music, his online gaming community and his pup Willie kept him going for years after his children grew up.

The next thing he was looking forward to was retirement. Sadly, he didn't make it. But the dreams of retiring and living off of the land filled him with joy before the end. Especially, the thought of living next to his daughter Meagan and son-in-law Joe. They made some great memories with him in his last years. Dad was so proud to call them friends.


Tommy was predeceased by his mother Elizabeth Anne Underwood, his father Thomas Lee Underwood and his older sister Rachel Freeby.


He is survived by his daughter Meagan Stewart, his son-in-law Joseph Stewart, daughter Lauren Cole, granddaughters Elaina Cole, Winifred Cole and Kori Cole, younger sister Rebecca Wilson, brother Bobby Freeby, friend and ex wife Rebecca Hampton, friend Curtis Hampton, dog pal Willie and many, many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and his Boom Beach family.


"No man is a failure who has friends."
-It's a Wonderful Life


He would've laid down his life for his friends and his family. No second thought about it. And there is surely no doubt that we will forever miss him greatly.


He would say he wasn't a rich man, but I truly believe that he was the richest man in town. He was the life of the party.


Rest high, Daddio, and party on. "