Pete Underwood

Louie Luther "Pete" Underwood, 89, of Scott City passed away at noon Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at the home of his son.

He was born May 15, 1923 at Fornfelt to Lula and Luther Underwood.

Rest in Peace Louie "Pete" Underwood. Thank you for your service. Underwood, Louie Luther Seaman, Second Class, Serial No. 337 61 09, U.S. Navy. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 27, 1941, in St. Louis and completed his basic training at the Naval Training Station in San Diego. He reported for duty on the USS Utah on July 29, 1941. Louie was serving on board the USS Utah on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was in the living compartment when the attack began. An officer came through and told them to "stay below [as Japanese bombing was occurring]." They remained there for a short while until the ship began to shift over. Louie ran topside, made for the high side of the ship and slid down and into the water. He swam ashore about 50 yards and got into a pipeline ditch. From there he watched as the attack continued.

After the attack, Louie was assigned to the USS Detroit (CL-8), performing convoy escort duty from the mainland to the Pearl. After that, he saw action during the New Guinea and Philippine landing campaigns in the amphibious forces. Louie retired from the Navy in July 1961, having achieved a Gunner's Mate First Class rank.

He also retired from Todd Uniform Co. of Cape Girardeau. After his retirements, Pete always could be found sitting around a campfire, in the deer woods or just being with friends and family.

Survivors include a son, Rusty (Jeannie) Underwood; a daughter, Teresa Miller of Scott City; a sister, Cornetta Welker of Columbia, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, Robert Underwood of Belleville, Ill., Davy Underwood of St Louis, Missy Miller of Cape Girardeau, Carrie Hart, John Miller, Bobby (Bekky) Underwood, Matt (Julie) Underwood, and Chris Speakman, all of Scott City, Darrin Underwood of Millersville and Jacob Underwood of Scott City; 17 great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Gracie.

He was preceded in death by a son, Don Underwood; his special friend, Sue Pettit; a brother; and two sisters.

A celebration of Pete's life will be at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.

The Rev. Chad Bles will conduct services at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel. Interment with full military honors will be in Lightner Memorial Cemetery in Scott City.