DONALD R. UNDERWOOD

Donald R. Underwood, 72, of Republic passed away from injuries sustained in a
motor vehicle accident on Jan. 8, 2023.
Undergoowd was born Sept. 12, 1950 in St. Louis County, to Eldon and Eileen (Brummett)
Underwood, the youngest of two sons in the home.
He graduated from Ritenour High School Breckenridge, with the class of 1968.
Underwood went on to receive his bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of
Missouri (J School) in 1972. On March 17, 1973, he married Marla Hundley and they had children Lara, Damon and Matthew.
Underwood worked for the Springfield News-Leader as an editor in multiple departments for
40 years, until his retirement.
Underwood was active in the Interfaith Alliance, as well as the Red Cross and Missourians for Alternatives to the Death
Penalty.
Underwood was preceded in death by his parents and a son Damon Ryan Underwood.
Underwood is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marla; daughter Lara Underwood
and her husband Ross Kaplan; son Matthew Underwood and wife Ashley, three
grandsons; brother Gary Rodney Underwood and wife Glenda; other family and friends.
A celebration of life was Jan. 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Springfield, with lunch following. In lieu of flowers, send donations to Sierra Club, the Red Cross, or Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.