Berkley Gene Underwood

berkley underwood

September 24, 1968 ~ August 31, 2021

Born in: Buncombe Co., NC
Resided in: Candler, NC

Berkley Gene Underwood passed away peacefully on the eve of August 31st, 2021 at Mission Hospital after a brief illness.

A native of Asheville, NC, he was the son of Gene Underwood and Ina Underwood Parr. Berkley was a graduate of Enka High School and A-B Technical Community College where he earned a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and worked as a tutor for students. He pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering while attending UNC-Charlotte.
Berkley was preceded in death by his father, Gene Monroe Underwood, and his step-father, James Howard Parr and several uncles and aunts.

He is survived by his mother, Ina Egan Parr; sons, Matthew Underwood (Miranda) and James Underwood (Shannon); granddaughter Baylee; step-granddaughter Alexis; step-sisters, Susan and Lisa Parr of Asheville, and Pamela Jones (Randy) of Troup, TX; aunts, Janet Grogan and Pat Underwood of Eden, NC, and Carol Parr of Tyler, TX; and numerous cousins.

Early on Berkley learned to love the sport of trout fishing taught to him by his father, who was Dean of Boys and Track Coach at Lee H Edwards High School in Asheville, N.C. He also followed his father’s interest in bow hunting. He was very fortunate to have two fathers who loved the outdoors and helped him to achieve a better understanding of the environment and nature. His step-father was Chief Park Ranger of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Berkley felt lucky to hear his tales about the experiences of a Park Ranger in the National Park Service. Berkley was a lover of music. He listened to music and he also played drums, cymbals and piano. He was very good at the beat of the drums and cymbals.

Friends are invited to gather with the family on Saturday, September 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Green Hills Cemetery to honor Berkley with a graveside service conducted by Pastor Karen Kurtz, Montmorenci United Methodist Church.

Friends may visit at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue until 6 pm Friday, and from 8 – 9:00 am Saturday.

Social distancing and masks will be required for everyone’s safety at the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the WNCC UMC Tropical Storm Fred Relief Fund, PO Box 2757, Huntersville, NC 28070.

Services

Graveside Service: September 4, 2021 10:00 am

Green Hills Cemetery
25 New Leicester Hwy.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-9831

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. So sorry for your loss, Ina. May memories of good times with family help sustain us through challenging times like this.

  2. Ina, Our hearts are broken for your loss. Cherish those memories of Berkley in your heart. We pray for you comfort and peace.

  3. Ina, we are so saddened and heartbroken for your loss. Cherish all those memories in your heart. We pray for you comfort and peace.

  4. Burkley will always be the ‘kid’ who lived across the street from us when we 1st moved into our house–he and “Granny Egan” will be forever memories for us. Ina, we are so very sorry for this most recent loss in your life.
    the McAfees–Pat and Jean

  5. I pray that you are with Jesus & that he is letting you know just how much you were loved. You will be missed so much. May the peace of God that transcends all understanding be with all of your family now during this time.

    • Ann, thank you for the lovely green house plant and your heartfelt words. Your beautiful messages have touched my heart. I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to know you. I think that you were in Berkley’s heart as well. Forgive me for taking so long to thank you for your messages and prayers. I am grief stricken and devastated by Berkley’s death. I thank God that he was a believer, who is now in His care. My prayer is the same as yours that Jesus is letting him know just how much he was loved, and with no more pain and sorrow. Thank you again for your kind expression of sympathy as I go through the worst experience of
      my life. I will appreciation your letting me know that you have received this message.

  6. Please know that the family is in our thoughts and prayers. We went to school together. Praying for peace, comfort and strength to the days ahead.

  7. May God give you peace during this sorrowful time. Will always remember Berkeley from my fourth grade class at Newton

  8. Ina, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time and that God’s love and peace be with you. Lisa Brown Davis

  9. Ina, I am so very sorry Berkley was loved by myself and girls I am so sad praying for God’s strength in this difficult time


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