Chief Warrant Officer 4 Freddie Leon Underwood
Freddie Underwood, 73, passed away at his home in Colorado Springs on Friday, November 15, 2013 after a long, difficult battle with COPD. Freddie was born May 28, 1940 in Premier, West Virginia to Jesse and Daisy May (Duncan) Underwood. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Pearlie Bowman, and brothers, Ray, Jay, Richard and Paul.
Freddie enlisted in the Army in 1958 after finishing high school and rose through the ranks to Chief Warrant Officer 4 prior to retirement in 1995. He served numerous tours in the United States and Germany. He also served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 and earned the Bronze Star along with numerous other decorations, medals, badges and campaign ribbons.
After retiring from the military, he worked as a Logistic Manager for the Corporation for National and Community Service in Denver.
Freddie leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, Irmgard (Immy) Leib Underwood. They met and fell in love in Germany during the building of the Berlin Wall, when Freddie decided to make the military his career. Freddie and Immy truly enjoyed their life in the military and the many wonderful friends they made along the way. They traveled to many European Countries, the Caribbean Islands and Mexico.
Freddie was a loving and caring father to his sons, Gordon and Andrew Underwood, and was “Opa” to his grandchildren Christian and Matthew and “Grandpa” to Journey Underwood. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and vacationing with them.
Freddie’s passing is mourned by his wife; sons; grandchildren; brothers, Jesse and Pete, sisters-in-law Phyliss, Brenda and Debbie Underwood and his family in Germany including Hilde Wingert, the Leib and Drumm families. Freddie was also very proud of his Godchild, Annekarin.
Freddie was a longstanding member of the Warrant Officer Association and greatly enjoyed working on their Toys for Tots drive. He loved working on cars, maintaining his home and gardening. He worked diligently on word puzzles when his illness prevented him from getting around anymore.