Robert Edward "Ed" Underwood

Robert Edward “Ed” Underwood passed away on September 13, 2015. Ed was born in Thomasville, Georgia, on January 15, 1945 to James S. and Rachel Underwood. He grew up in Perry, Florida, was graduated from Taylor County High School and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Florida State University in 1967. Ed began his career with the Florida Department of Transportation as a Management Analyst. Two years later at the age of 24 he was appointed as Chief of the Department of General Services, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Water Craft, serving as the youngest Bureau Chief in state government at that time. In 2000, Ed retired as Director of the Department of Management Services’ Aircraft and Motor Vehicles Division, with over 33 years of service. He also contracted with the U.S. Postal Service to transport mail, by truck, in North Florida and South Georgia. In semi-retirement, with his love of boats, Ed was a Governmental and Commercial Products Manager for several boating companies where he was responsible for the development and sales of the company’s commercial boat lines. Ed was an enthusiastic boater and loved the Big Bend coast. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time at his beach house, boating, fishing, kayaking, hiking and being out in nature. Ed is predeceased by his parents, James S. and Rachel Underwood. He is survived by his wife, Vickie Underwood, a daughter Carla Stephens ( Mitch), and two stepsons, Zach and Isaac Smith, grandchildren Colin and Savannah Stephens and Madison and Hunter Smith, a brother Jim Underwood (Christy), nieces and nephews Lorraine Underwood Ames (Chris), Lisa Underwood Manwaring (Lyle), and Lindsey Underwood, and other great nieces and nephews. A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at Bevis Funeral Home, 2710 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL, at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 19th. Memorial contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research, Department of Development, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, or PAWS of Wakulla, P.O. Box 1195, Crawfordville, FL 32327. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (www.bevisfh.com, 850-385-2193) is assisting the family with arrangements.

Tributes

Robert Edward "Ed" Underwood

January 15, 1945 - September 13, 2015