Melvin Ray Underwood

Melvin (Mel) Ray Underwood, 87, longtime Seminole/Shawnee resident, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026 at OU Medical Center, Oklahoma City.

The only son of Nancy Edna (Mills) and Clarence Ray Underwood, he was born June 3, 1939, in Seminole, Oklahoma. After graduation from Seminole High School, Mel enlisted in the National Guard. He soon after enlisted in the United States Navy, where he went through Basic Training in California, before his commission on a submarine and later the USS Phillip destroyer stationed out of Oahu, Hawaii. Always a patriot, Melvin was a proud Tin Can Sailor veteran.

While serving his country, Melvin married his high school sweetheart, Betty Sue Terrell. The Underwood family settled back in Seminole, where they raised their beautiful daughter, Tina Sue. Mel began his longtime and storied career with the Department of Defense as an Aircraft Mishap Analyst and Avionics Specialist. Based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Mel was sent all over the world to investigate military crashes. After retirement, Mel was a private investigator for the public sector.

Melvin Ray Underwood was so many things to his family. He was a devoted son, protective brother, proud Navy Veteran, adoring husband, dad, papa, uncle, friend, an avid University of Oklahoma fan, hunting and fishing buddy, and most importantly, a strong Christian man of integrity.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful Betty in 2004. His sister introduced him to a family friend and also newly widowed Barbara (Bobbie) Novak. They married in 2006 and had 20 sweet years of marriage, and he enjoyed a bonus family. Mel and Bobbie lived in Shawnee and were members of Rock Creek Baptist Church.

Melvin was preceded in death by his father, Ray Underwood, mother and step-dad, Nancy Edna Underwood Parrish and Luther (Luke) Parrish; a sister, Norma Shipman; and his daughter, Tina Underwood Crawford.

He will be missed by his wife, Bobbie Underwood of the home; sister, Sandy (Tommy) Russell of Amarillo, Texas; son-in-law, Keith Crawford; grandchildren, Clay and Kelsey Crawford, all of Seminole; special niece and nephew, Kayla (Jerry) Ammerman, and Kevin (Kari) Russell; stepchildren, Hunter Novak (Bonnie), Cinda Novak Haruch (Jamie); 3 step-grandchildren and their families, Ethan Novak, Griffin Novak and Kate Haruch Kirkland. He was also Uncle Melvin to many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services with military honors will be held Monday morning, August 10, 2026, 11:00 A.M. at the Swearingen Funeral Chapel, 1001 N Milt Phillips Ave, Seminole. Interment will follow at the Little Cemetery.

In lieu of floral gifts, memorials may be sent to Rock Creek Baptist Church, 44900 Hardesty Rd, Shawnee, OK 74801.