Elmer Underwood

11/16/1931 - 5/29/2011 Elmer Wayne Underwood died peacefully on May 29th, 2011 at Central Wyoming Hospice of congestive heart failure. Elmer was born in Casper, WY on November 16, 1931 to Sam and Ethel Underwood. He graduated from Natrona County High School in 1951. While at N.C.H.S. he participated in basketball, track, and football. Elmer excelled in all sports, but he particularly loved football. Due to his stellar running abilities, Elmer was nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost." In 1950 Elmer rushed for 327 yards in a game against the Cheyenne Indians which set a Big Six Conference record. Not only was Elmer a skilled athlete, but he loved music and played the trumpet in the school band. In 1951, Elmer enlisted in the Navy where he spent four years serving his country on the U.S.S. Agerholm. During the Korean Conflict he was an apprentice electrician. After the war, he spent several years on the road working construction which culminated with him working on the Kearney Reservoir near Story, Wyoming. Elmer grew tired of being away from Casper, so he moved home where in 1965 he met Doris McIntosh. He and Doris were married in 1966. After his marriage, Elmer worked in Paradise Valley on utility projects. Once Paradise Valley was annexed into the City of Casper, Elmer became a superintendent with the Board of Public Utilities. Elmer will be remembered as a man who loved the simplicity of life. He was a proud American and was a lifelong member of the American Legion. Elmer dearly loved his family and cherished his time with them. Elmer could fix anything including a broken heart or skinned knee. He enjoyed the challenge of growing great tomatoes and the art of catching fish. He will be remembered for his nurturing spirit and the time he spent coaching his children and grandchildren in sports and in life. He was someone who could be counted on when times got tough. There are simply not enough words to describe what a wonderful man he was. Elmer is survived by his wife Doris and his children, Karen (Mike) Underwood and Rick (Jamie) Underwood, and his grandchildren Justin, Austin, Nick, Tyler, Emily, Drew, great grandson Carter and great granddaughter Sydney, his stepchildren Terry (David) Childers, Gary (Cindy) McIntosh, and Wendy (Tom) Schulte. He is also survived by his siblings Joyce, Lynn, Carol, Jim, Don, and Sam. Elmer had numerous nieces and nephews, and was especially fond of his niece Viola Franklin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Doris, Evelyn, Edith, and Norma, and his brother Glen. He was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Elmer will be greatly missed. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, June 6, 2011 at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Evansville, WY with Pastor Bob McNamara officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the Natrona County United Veterans Council and the Wyoming Army National Guard.

Visitation

Friday, June 3, 2011 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Directors and Crematory

600 C.Y. Avenue

Casper, WY 82601