GARFIELD — Dr. James C. Underwood,

78, of Garf ield, Ark . , passed away on Jan. 4, 2023. He was born Aug. 11, 1944, to Carroll E. and Betty J. Underwood in Fresno, Calif. where his father, was stationed in the U.S. Army during WWII. He is the second of 9 children.

Survived by his wife Roxie of 58 years, a daughter, Randa and son-in-law Rowland Vernon, grandchildren Reis and Raegan, all of Broken Arrow, Okla.; and son, Jess and daughter-in-law Christy Underwood, grandchildren Jordon and Javis all of Oshkosh, Neb. a brother-in-law Wayne Porter of Grand Island, Neb.; and brothers and sisters, Larry, Molly, Becky, Connie, Terry, and Debby.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; mother-in-law Lois June Porter, father-in-law Cecil R. Porter; and 2 sisters, Sue, and Kay.

He is a graduate of South Page HS in SW Iowa where he lived on a farm south of Clarinda; an earned diploma from GI School of Business; Associate degree from Central Community College in Columbus, Neb.; Bachelor’s Degree from University of Nebraska at Kearney; an MBA and Doctorate at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark.

A retired Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, Infantry, with active and reserve service and a Vietnam veteran. Throughout his life he has been a patriot supporting our nation in service and active participation in patriotic events. He and Roxie fly three American Flags 24/7 on their Beaver Lakeside property. He was recognized by the Illinois Governor in November 2014 as the State of Illinois “Veteran of the Month”. A special project he was very proud to have been a part was the creation of the “Jim Beasley Veterans Tribute at Kaskaskia College”. He is a life member of the VFW and a longtime member of the American Legion. Also, he served on the Illinois Governor’s Veterans Advisory Committee. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, Officer Candidate School, and infantry and ammunition military schools.

His higher education career consisted of 45 years as a community college educator with the last 20 years as a college president. The first 14 years as the chief financial officer at Central Community College in Grand Island, Neb.; 8 years as the chief financial officer at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Ark.; three years as the chief financial officer/chief academic officer at Richland Community College in Decatur, Ill.; six years as president of Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb.; and 14 years as president of Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Ill. Throughout his career he taught leadership courses and created a leadership institute.

Over the years he served in many community leadership roles and has received honors from community and educational organizations.

His children and grandchildren are Roxie and his joy, as they both love being with them. He enjoys golfing with Roxie, boating, writing, and restoring Corvettes. They are members of the NW Arkansas Corvette Club. He has published a book on Leadership reflecting back on his career. They are members of the First United Methodist Church of Rogers, Ark.

Visitation 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, service beginning 11 a.m. in the chapel of Benton County Funeral Home 306 N. 4th St. Rogers, Ark. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark.

Memorials may be made to the Veterans Tribute at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Ill. or FUMC in Rogers, Ark. Online condolences can be made to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com