George Underwood, 76, Adrian, MO, died Monday, April 9, 2007 at Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton, MO. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 11 at the Atkinson Chapel, Adrian. Burial was in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Masonic services were under the auspices of Crescent Hill Masonic Lodge #368, Adrian. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

George was born August 15, 1930 in Butler, MO, the son of Frank and Hazel (Gish) Underwood. He was six months old when his family moved to the Ballard and Adrian communities. George lived and worked in Bates County, MO all of his life, except for the two years he served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. His favorite war story was how he celebrated the Fourth of July two days in a row when the ship taking him home from Korea crossed the International Dateline.

After returning from Korea, George worked with his father in the rock quarry business, blasting, crushing and hauling rock. In his later years, he cut back to just driving a dump truck. He married Nilene Smith after returning from Korea and to this union four daughters were born, Debbie, Dianna, Alice and Georgia. One of his fondest memories was seeing all four of his girls waiting at Mrs. Brent's corner. They would climb up on the running boards and hold on to the mirrors as George made it the last half-mile home. One special quality George passed on to his daughters was his love of animals.

George was a man of many talents. He could fix anything. He was always fixing things for his family, friends and neighbors. He never accepted any type of payment for his work. There are probably a lot of people who wrote him a check but never saw it clear the bank. It's probably still in his billfold.

George could tell the best stories, the best jokes and could find the humor in any situation. George's shop, aka "the chicken house" or "the Skunkworks", saw a lot of work, but oh if those walls could talk. There were countless hours spent sitting by the wood stove just visiting. Many a poor man got a good chewing from his wife for coming home at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 AM and saying, "I was visiting with George." Many a boyfriend got home past his curfew because George would keep talking as they tried to leave.

George was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Alice, two brothers, Jim and Frank Underwood and his beloved brother-in-law, John Smith. He is survived by his wife, Nilene, of the home; four daughters and four sons-in-law, Debbie and Bret Still, Dianna and Tom Meyer, Alice and Clay Gregg and Georgia and Mike Keiser. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Andy and Molly Still, Randy and John Meyer, Tom, Phil and Sam Gregg and Kalene Kiesel; one brother, Bill Underwood and wife, Dixie; three sisters-in-law, Linda Underwood, Doris Underwood and Linda Kay Smith; one brother-in-law, Carl Smith and wife, Shirley, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

(Arrangements under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home, Adrian, MO).