Thomas Cooper Underwood, Jr.

A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held on September 10, 2023, commencing at 1pm at The Links at Challedon, 6166 Challedon Circle, Mt Airy, MD 21771. All are welcome to come as we gather to honor a life of joy, love and fun.

The even is informal and dress code is Casual. 

Please RSVP here on the website or let us know via emails, text phone. 

 

 

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Cooper Underwood Jr. a devoted husband, loving father, grandpa, uncle, brother and cherished friend. He left us peacefully on August 12, 2023, after several years of battling Dementia.

Tom was born on September 10, 1938 in Reading, Pennsylvania. He had a wonderful childhood growing up in Emmaus, Pennsylvania and graduated from Emmaus High School in 1956. After starting college at Penn State, Tom transferred to Clemson University and graduated in 1962 with an Electrical Engineering degree. Go Tigers! Roaring with the spirit of the Tiger, Tom embraced the call of the Space Race to the Moon during the 1960s. He had a 35-year remarkable career with NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, a journey that took him around the globe.

In 1962, Tom found Sue, the love of his life, and they began a 60-year journey. They really did everything together and shared passions for church, family, beach getaways, travel, sports, music, weather-watching, gardening, stargazing, and the embrace of family traditions. Tom's steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus was an inspiration, guiding his family towards a life of faith. Now, his spirit finds peace in the embrace of the Lord Jesus, free from pain, and rejoined with family and friends. His memory will forever be in our hearts, an enduring tribute to a life beautifully lived. Reflecting the love he held for Sue, Tom's signature sign-off in his love letters remains etched in memory: "For now, for always and then some... Love Tom"

Thomas Cooper Underwood Jr. is survived by his beloved wife, Suzanne Underwood, and is lovingly remembered by his family. Mother-in-law Marge Bruffy (100 years old), sister Judy Wieand, brother-in-law Bob Bruffy (Goody), sister-in-law Bonnie Kroplin (Bill), daughter Diane Weaver (John), son Thomas Underwood III (Vickie), and son Scott Underwood (Carolyn). He was "Paw" and Grandpa to Ryan Weaver (Elyssa), Zachary Weaver (Nicole), Brian Parsons (Amy Bruce), Kevin Parsons, Peyton Underwood, Trate Underwood, and Mackenzie Underwood. He was a Great-Grandfather to Charlotte Parsons, Carleigh Flora, and Carson Parsons. He was Uncle Tom to Chuck Ramondo (Monika), Lynn Ehle (John), Barbara Schueck (Randy), Dale Peters, Jan Rickert (Rich), Nicole Helmer (David), Tyler Bruffy (Laurie), Maddy Flair (Zach), Kelly O’Brien and Kathy O’Brien. He was a Great Uncle to Stephanie Peters, Jenny Plominski (Chris), Randy Schueck, Chris Rickert, Kyle Rickert (Cassey), Adam Ramondo, Lucas Ramondo, Brien Ehle (Ariana), Jason Ehle, Logan Bruffy, Braden Bruffy, Eller Bruffy, Brighton Helmer, and Adelaide Helmer. He was a Great-Great Uncle to Noah Plominski, Mae Plominski, Ethan Rickert, Harrison Rickert, Cora Rickert, Edwin Ehle, Wendell Ehle, and Lewis Ehle. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Cooper Underwood Sr., his mother, Hannah Mae Underwood, his father-in-law, Lewis T. Bruffy Jr., his sister Patsy Ramondo, his brother-in-law Charles Ramondo, his brother-in-law Richard Wieand, his niece Susie Peters, and his life-long friends Bob O’Brien, Ginny O’Brien, and Kevin O’Brien.

Sympathies and Condolences can be sent to Sue Underwood at her new address: 1712 Locksley Lane, Mt. Airy, Maryland 21771 or can be brought to the Celebration of Life on September 10th.