Harry Richard Underwood

Funeral services for Harry Richard Underwood will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at Family Life Church with Pastor Martin Crump officiating. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #42.Harry Underwood, age 77, of rural southern Campbell County died on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Harry Underwood was born August 18, 1934 in Gillette, Wyoming to Roy H. and Beulah H. Underwood. He was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Campbell County High School in 1952. Harry attended the University of Wyoming briefly before joining the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed in San Francisco where he was honorably discharged in 1956 at the rank of sergeant. On August 15, 1955 he married Harriet Reno in Laramie, Wyoming. After being discharged from the Marine Corps they returned to Gillette where he entered into the family business, Underwood Lumber Company. In 1960, Harry moved his family south of Gillette to work on a ranch for his father-in-law, Floyd Reno. In 1963, he realized his dream of having his own ranch by purchasing the original homestead of B.J. Reno south of the present town of Wright. There he raised Targhee sheep and Hereford cattle. In 1974, he was elected as a Campbell County Commissioner. Harry served a total of eighteen years. Being a commissioner was a job he took great pride in. He cared deeply for Campbell County and it's well being. This was a time of great change for the area with the expansion of the coal and railroad industries. Harry was for progress while protecting the best interests of the community. He was a strong supporter in the development of the town of Wright, the Wright Clinic and the Haycreek Golf Course. He was a loyal supporter of the area youth by coaching Little League Baseball, buying animals at the local fair livestock auctions and being involved in high school rodeo. Harry was an avid hunter and fisherman all his life. He liked, "To hear that noise and smell that powder." He took up the sport of golf when he turned fifty. It gave him great pleasure and he was competitive locally. Just ask his regular partners. Harry is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Harriet Underwood of rural southern Campbell County; Son, Roy (Kelley) of Fredericksburg, Texas; daughter, Kelley (Bill) Sims of Rural southern Campbell County; four grandsons: Scott, Shane and Whit Sims of rural southern Campbell County and Jake Underwood of Fredericksburg, Texas; granddaughter, Heather Maddock of Bozeman, Montana; great -granddaughter, Abigail Maddock; great-grandson, Cash Maddock both of Bozeman, Montana; sister, Hazel (Bill) Smith of Vashon, Washington; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Octa McGinnis and Roma Rae Underwood. Memorials are suggested to benefit Close To Home Hospice. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Harry's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716