MARK JOSEPH UNDERWOOD
March 15, 1991-Oct. 3, 2015
Mark Joseph Underwood, 24, Durham, N.C., passed away Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at 10:50 a.m. at Duke University Hospital surrounded by his family.
Mark was born in Greenville, N.C., March 15, 1991.
At the age of 12, his family relocated to LaGrange, N.C.
After his 2009 graduation from North Lenoir High School, Mark joined the United States Navy, where he honorably served until his death. Mark was a STS3 submariner-sonar technician. He was a crew member of the USS Montpelier SSN-765 until he got sick.
Mark was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2014. He received a stem cell transplant from his sister in July 2015. He fought a courageous battle until the end, but complications from the transplant took his life.
Following in his grandfather's footsteps, Mark chose to donate his body to Duke Anatomical Gift Society, where he hoped his donation would help in medical advances and treatments.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro, N.C.
Visitation with family will be at 4 p.m., followed by a memorial service in the chapel at 5 p.m. Navy Chaplain Tom Riley will be officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at a later date when his remains are returned to the family.
Mark is survived by his parents, Chris and Toni Wood of LaGrange, and his father, Christopher Underwood of Dudley.
Mark is also survived by his sister, Tracy Underwood of Kinston; brothers, Timothy "T.J." Underwood of LaGrange, Christopher Wood Jr. of Kinston, Joseph Wood and Heather of Fredericksburg, Va., and Benjamin Wood of Wilmington; three half-sisters; two nieces; and one nephew.
Mark had many loving aunts and uncles, Rick and Pam Hill, Wendell and Cassy Wood, Mike and Sherry Wood, Anthony Underwood, Stephan and Debbie Underwood, Pascal and Deborah Underwood, Eric and Ginger Underwood and Mike and Florence Crumpler, and a host of cousins.
Flowers are welcome or donations are being accepted for Mark's two favorite charities: St. Baldrick's Foundation and Wrapped in Strength Program. Donations can be mailed in his honor to P.O. Box 3112, Durham, N.C., 27715. They will be equally distributed to both charities in his name.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 8, 2015 1:49 PM