Calvin Underwood Jr.

He was born on September 17, 1938, in Kamay, Texas, to Lillie Bell Newman and Calvin Underwood Sr. Raised as one of five children by a blind mother, Calvin learned early the importance of perseverance, responsibility, and devotion to family. Despite many moves throughout his childhood, he stayed driven and focused, graduating as valedictorian after his family settled in Bryson, Texas.

After graduating from Midwestern University, Calvin began his career as a math teacher. His passion for teaching later led him to serve as the District Math Coordinator for WFISD. Though teaching salaries were modest, Calvin found ways to provide for his family by working tirelessly and investing in rental properties, always fixing them up in “Calvin fashion”. In retirement, Calvin loved working with his daughter, Amy, at her store, Wear It Again Sam, where he spent his days happily “treasure hunting” through garage sales for the perfect finds.

He had a good friend invite him to a Halloween party and that’s where he met Fay Ivy and of course the rest is history. He married the love of his life and best friend on April 12, 1963. Together they built a home grounded in faith and genuine hospitality. They loved hosting parties for friends and family.

He cherished his family deeply, staying close with his siblings. Calvin was a giver by nature, always ready to lend a hand or offer a word of encouragement to anyone who needed it. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren. He loved choir and singing and instilled the love of music to his daughters. He also enjoyed square dancing and traveling with his wife, Fay.

In 2017, Calvin suffered a traumatic brain injury that changed many things, but it never changed his heart. As his dementia progressed, his love and devotion remained as he cared for Fay through her own health challenges.

There is such peace in knowing that Calvin is now in heaven, in the presence of his Savior and reunited with Fay and all the family who went before him. We find particular comfort in the thought of his mother, who was blind on this earth, finally being able to see her son.

He taught us that the greatest treasures in life aren’t found at garage sales, but in the quiet moments of devotion we share with one another.

Calvin was preceded in death by his wife, Fay Underwood; his parents, Lily and Calvin Sr.; his brother, Dick Underwood; and his sisters, Helen Winkler, Pearl Langford, and Veda Marley.

He is survived by his two daughters, Amy Neal and husband Kevin, and Sara Haskins and husband Rick. He leaves behind five grandchildren: Shelby Antunez and husband Anthony, Carly Farris and husband Collin. Samantha Thomas and husband Steffen, Kevin Neal Jr., and Caleb Haskins. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.