Michael Underhill 08/06/1956-07/23/2011 Celebration of Life: 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Mayfield Kiser Funeral Home in Burleson. In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society. This tribute is not about the day Michael was born or the day he passed, it is about the life he lived in-between those days. It is about a young baseball-loving boy who lost his sight at age 10 and persevered in spite of it. At age twelve he applied for and was given a paper route with the Dallas times Herald. The only thing he forgot to tell them was that he was blind. Michael had much to give and much to teach us about ourselves. He was persistent in his goals and steadfast in his life. When he made a decision about something he always followed it through to the end. Throughout his life he loved God and his family. He also loved music, The Texas Rangers, The Mavericks and The Cowboys and a good argument. If he believed in something he would argue until he convinced you that He was right. And most of the time he was. Since May of 1992 he was an active participant in the Randolph Sheppard program starting his career in Harlingen, Texas and at the time of his death he was operating the food service contract in the Fritz G. Lanham Federal building in downtown Fort Worth. He worked hard to make his business the best it could be and shared a close working relationship with his son Patrick. Michael once said one of the greatest days of his life was the day he held his first grandchild the day he was born. The fact that he would hold two more of them was just icing on the cake. In the last few months while his health was failing his resolve remained as strong as it had ever been and he rejoiced in the fact that the prayer chain was as close as our next-door neighbors and as far way as missionary friends in Africa. The stories that could be shared about this man are far too many to list here and his legacy will live on forever in the lives of his family. He fought a good fight against a horrible disease and he lost that fight at home where he was loved and cared for and he was given to the Lord on a steamy Saturday Morning July 23, 2011 in Crowley, Texas. Those left to carry on his legacy; his wife, Vicky; sons, Patrick Underhill of Everman, Jeffery Underhill and wife, Jamie; Grandchildren, Logan, Landry and London Underhill; brother, Isaac Underhill of Dallas; sisters, Patricia Moncer of LaSage, West Virginia and Gloria Williams of San Francisco, California; He was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac Kirk Underhill and Mable Stinson Underhill. To view Mr. Underhill’s Service live via webcast and for the next 30 days please click the link below using the service ID and password provided. You must use Internet Explorer to view this link. Click here to view Service ID: 2997 Password: Underhill
12 Responses
Am so very sorry for your loss, You are in our prayers and thoughts..We loved him.He was our lil Hero, never afraid of life or facing it. Our hearts go out to all the family! We love ya! Sincerely Margie and Family
My heart felt condolence to Mike’s family.
Patrick I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. May the Lord’s strength, peace and love be with you and your family.
Patrick: I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless.
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s & dad’s passing. May you turn to your proudest memories of him in the upcoming days. I pray that God keeps & comforts each of you during this time of sorrow & may he Bless your lives with health and happy memories of your times together.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time!
We were so sorry to hear about Mike’s illness and were hopeful that he would be one of the few that beat the cancer. Now his passing leaves a true vacuum, not only for his family but for all who knew him and appreciated the person he was. Far too few people have the courage of their convictions that Mike had. Mike never had second thoughts when he felt it was time to take a stand on an issue. His work made life better for many.
But in addition to the Mike that worked asiduously to improve the world for those around him, there was the Mike that enjoyed a good time: I recall at one event where the Underhill family joined us at the head table at an event we had put on. There was a commedian that night, and I recall Mike almost rolling in the floor that night. Great time and great memory!
Thank you Patrick for letting me know about Mike’s passing. We want to keep in touch with you guys, and I always admired the relationship you and Mike had with each other.
Our deepest condolences to all of Mike’s family.
Jeff and Patrick,
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad! He was a very kind and courageous man!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
I met Mike back in 1976 when we lived in the same dormitory at UNT in Denton. After we moved out of the dorm we shared several apartments and became the best of friends often talking or playing guitars together late into the night.
Mike was truly one of the most capable men I’ve ever known. The only thing he could NOT do, was see. We played frisbee together, bowled and even water skied. And I’ll never forget the time we drove to a wide open space in the Trinity river bottoms and I let him drive my car. The look on his face was priceless. I was honored to have Mike stand with me as my best man. (His guide dog Spencer was best dog.)
I’m am saddened that he is gone, but I will always remember his great sense of humor and that big hearty laugh of his. I am blessed to have called Mike Underhill my friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with Vicky, Patrick and Jeff, the grandkids and extended family. God bless you all.
Steve Huisman Mark
Dear Vicky my sincere condolence on the loss of your husband(my cousin). Please know that you and the boys are in my prayers during this time of sorrow.
My sweet friend Vicki,
We are so sorry for your loss. I pray for you & your family that our dear Lord will guide you through this time.
Our heart goes out to you and your family. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.