Poteau Daily News
Poteau, LeFlore County, Oklahoma
November 29, 2012

U-tube tribute to Clarence "Peck" Underwood, Jr.

Clarence (Peck) Underwood, Jr. 83, passed away on September 29, 2012, at the Oklahoma Veterans Center, Talihina, Oklahoma. He was born on June 23, 1929 in Talihina to Oscar Clarence and Gertrude White Underwood. Clarence "Peck" referred to himself as a country boy, but to most who knew him, he was a cowboy. Peck felt at home in the saddle and was more than a capable horseman. He was handy with a rope, and could bulldog with the best of them. He was a life long rancher in the valley still tending cattle when he entered the Veterans Center. He was a United States Army veteran who served during the Korean Conflict. While stationed in Germany he served on an elite group of men known as the "Honor Guard". When asked what the qualifications for being selected for this group he replied," Ya got to be at least six feet tall and at least two hundred pounds.": While I am sure there was more to it than that, Peck laughed and said, "that's a lot of meat walking down the road."

Peck returned home and married the love of his life, Eva. Their lives were totally connected from then on. In February next year they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Peck wasn't only a cowboy, but a devoted husband, and a stern but loving dad and papa, having raised two kids and two grand kids. But I suppose the greatest thing to say about this gentle giant was that he was a Christian.

While attending church one Sunday morning, his daughter, Sandy, rushed down the aisle to the alter when the sermon was over. There she prayed to receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Peck took very special thought about this. Later that afternoon he was summoned to assist in a local tragedy. When he got home that evening he called the preacher and said "Parson, I want to do tonight what that girl did this morning." Peck was saved that very evening. On a day when tragedy struck, salvation was also available and given. Peck, Eva, and Sandy were all baptized the same day. What a day! Peck remained a faithful husband, dad and granddad, as well as a faithful church member the rest of his life. Now he has entered eternity to live forever at home with Jesus in Heavenly bliss. For that we are truly happy and thankful.

The pallbearers for the service will be Butch Moody, J.M. Allen, Bill Morgan, Jeremy Lawson, Johnny Emmert, Larry Baxter, Kyle Griffith and Smokey Waller. Honorary will be Raymond D. Griffith, John Emmert, Jay Kennedy, Dale Huddleston, Don Huddleston and Curly King/ Services were held Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 2 p.m. at the Talihina First Baptist Church with Brother Mark Cook officiating. Interment will follow at the New Talihina Cemetery under the direction of Talihina Funeral Home.

Created:  08 Jun 2013
            Updated: 08 Jun 2013