Ronald Dee Underwood was born on 01/21/1948 in Agra, KS, in his family home. He attended Agra schools, graduating in 1966, enjoying baseball, basketball, and track and field while in school. As for academics, he excelled in math and was really the only subject that he cared much about; in his words, “there is only one answer; numbers make sense.” Thus, with this thinking, Ron attended Fort Hays State University, and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor’s in Accounting.
Ron met Joyce Dusin at the Phillipsburg bowling alley in 1973 and the two of them wed on February 16, 1974. The newly married couple ended up in Everest, KS, where Ron accepted a job at Evans Grain. The couple built their home there and have remained in Everest ever since.
The couple had a daughter, Billie Jo, on November 25, 1981. Billie Jo grew up at the ball field either playing in the dirt on the field as she got older, where her dad coached and ran the ball program with the help of Joyce for 18 years. When Ron was not coaching, you could still find him at the ball field umpiring or helping out in the concession stand.
After 22 years of working for the elevator in Everest, Ron went to work for the Golden Eagle Casino, starting as a cashier and working his way up to cage manager. Ron thoroughly enjoyed his time at the casino and the people he worked with, not retiring until 2019, after being there for 23 years.
Billie Jo married in April 2008 to Rick Boykin. With this union brought about an instant family as Rick had three daughters already; Camryn 3 at the time, and the twins, Alexandria and Briahna age 1. Ron and Joyce enjoyed watching the girls grow up, and then on June 9, 2009, a grandson (much needed), Ryland Benjamin Boykin, was born. Ron could not be more proud to have a grandson, and the bond between the two was instant. Up until the time of his passing, Ron enjoyed watching all four kids play sports; what he looked forward to the most. His absence in the stands will be noticed immensely.
When Ron was not being grandpa, he enjoyed watching the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, but most of all, KU basketball. Before he went in for surgery, all Ron was concerned about was being awake and feeling well enough to get his brackets filled out for March Madness. Unfortunately, Ron passed away in the early morning hours of March 13th; however, his family knows he is still not missing a game and cheering on from above.
Survivors include his wife Joyce; daughter Billie Boykin and husband Rick of Horton, KS; four grandchildren: Ryland, Camyrn, Ali, and Bri Boykin; a sister Peggy Gale and husband Loren of Agra, KS; sister-in-law Carolyn Underwood of Bennington; nieces; and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Jerry Underwood.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2022, in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. The services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Agra Cemetery, Agra, KS.
Mr. Underwood will lie in state Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Mercy Hospital c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, PO Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS 67661.