John Underwood

UNDERWOOD, John

February 28, 1976 -

January 28, 2026

After a long and hard-fought illness, John B. Underwood passed away on January 28, 2026. He was born on February 28, 1976, at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., to William Underwood Jr. and Leigh (Marino) Underwood. True to form, John entered the world with curiosity, stubborn determination, and just enough flair to keep things interesting.

John attended Fernbank Elementary, Avondale High, and earned an Associate's Degree from DeKalb Technical College. Learning never really stopped for him, it just took different forms, sometimes academic, sometimes wildly self-directed, and sometimes involving the stock market at odd hours of the night.

John loved life, and not in a quiet way. He was an artist, an author, a jewelry maker, a vintage eBay seller, a telecommunications and networking professional, and a stock trader who gained a loyal following on StockTwits under the handle GeorgiaUnderwood. He had opinions, theories, spreadsheets, creative projects, and at least three plans going at any given moment. If there was a new idea in the air, John was probably already halfway through it.

But of all his titles, the one that brought him the greatest joy was Dad. He was the proud father of Lura L. Underwood, who will graduate from Berry College this year, an achievement that filled him with immeasurable pride and more than a few bragging rights.

John is survived by his parents, William Underwood Jr. and Leigh Underwood; and by his beloved partner of 13 years, Joan Gage, who walked beside him through life with devotion, strength, and deep love. He is also survived by his siblings: Ted Underwood and wife, Eleanor Courtemanche, Mathew Underwood, Anne Elizabeth Underwood, and Jefferson Underwood. He was previously married to Mary Lynn Ryan, the mother of his daughter, Lura.

He is further survived by his mother's sisters, Diane Osborn, Corki Willyard, and Nicki Rozean; along with many cousins, extended family members, and friends who learned quickly that life was never dull when John was involved.

In a detail John would be delighted to see included, he was also, most famously, second cousin four times removed on his mother's Lampton side to Mark Twain, a fact that neatly explains his wit, his storytelling, and his lifelong habit of saying exactly what he thought, sometimes to hilarious effect.

A Celebration of Life honoring John's humor, creativity, intelligence, and the joy he brought to those around him is planned for March 28, 2026, 2:00-5:00 PM, at Hawkins Dining Hall in Legacy Park, Decatur.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Turner Funeral Home for their compassionate cremation services, to the remarkable doctors and nurses of Emory Hospital ICU, to the Emory Health Care Complex, and to all who played a role in giving John more time, more memories, and more laughter than anyone thought possible.

John's life was marked by creativity, wit, and deep care for his friends and family, guided in part by a quiet practice of Taoism. He leaves behind stories worth telling, jokes worth repeating, and a legacy of creativity and love that will not be forgotten.