Lester Underwood from the Black Swamp club passes
Lester Underwood from Bucyrus, Ohio joined the Black Swamp club in 1987. The truck has been in the Underwood family since his Uncle J.A.Jury of Wyandot, OH. Uncle John bought it new to haul building material for the Wyandot school. Lester’s grandfather M.V. Underwood bought it in 1920 to use to follow the threshing machine around in the 1920’s & 1930’s. It was last licensed in 1940, the truck has always been stored inside. In 1965, Lester restored the Maxwell. It involved a trip to St. Louis for new front tires where he had to wait to have them made. In 1987, the old stock racks was reinstalled on the old truck.
Lester Underwood, 87, passed away peacefully at home on July 2. He loved cars and received his driver’s license at age 14. At 15, he was dealt a major setback when he was stricken with polio. His family brought him home from the hospital in an iron lung. In spite of this, his classmates and teachers helped him with his studies and he graduated from Mt. Zion School in 1943. Lester had many challenges in life, but he would overcome them one-by-one. He farmed the farm his grandfather purchased in 1898. In his early years, he was a radio and TV serviceman, setting up the Bucyrus Twp. VFD with their first radio communication. His family has held on to an 1881Columbia high wheel bicycle, leading him to fellow enthusiasts in the Wheelmen club. His children are often seen riding the bike to this day.
Lester Underwood, 87, passed away peacefully at home on July 2. He loved cars and received his driver’s license at age 14. At 15, he was dealt a major setback when he was stricken with polio. His family brought him home from the hospital in an iron lung. In spite of this, his classmates and teachers helped him with his studies and he graduated from Mt. Zion School in 1943. Lester had many challenges in life, but he would overcome them one-by-one. He farmed the farm his grandfather purchased in 1898. In his early years, he was a radio and TV serviceman, setting up the Bucyrus Twp. VFD with their first radio communication. His family has held on to an 1881Columbia high wheel bicycle, leading him to fellow enthusiasts in the Wheelmen club. His children are often seen riding the bike to this day.
Lester, with his father, operated Underwood Garage and had the Ferguson Tractor agency from 1949-1958. During his time as a mechanic, he got interested in restoring cars. Though he loved to travel, taking a number of day trips all over Ohio and covering 49 states and most of Canada. Lester’s delight was enjoying around 15 cars he and his family restored over the years. He liked the challenge of working on the cars and getting them back into good condition. It gave him the pleasure of accomplishment. Lester had a sense of humor and a zest for life. A man of integrity and honor, Lester’s legacy will carry on in the hearts of his family.
A funeral service was held on July 8 at Wise Funeral Home in Bucyrus. Lester had asked that is final ride, to the cemetery, be on the family’s 1916 Maxwell truck. Following behind the Maxwell were a 1928 Plymouth, 1934 Plymouth, 1956 Dodge, 1954 DeSoto, 1962 Ford (Armstrong) 1956 DeSoto (Walters). Our deepest sympathy goes to Barbara, Brian Susan, Milton and Dawn and Grace, Hannah and Abby.
A funeral service was held on July 8 at Wise Funeral Home in Bucyrus. Lester had asked that is final ride, to the cemetery, be on the family’s 1916 Maxwell truck. Following behind the Maxwell were a 1928 Plymouth, 1934 Plymouth, 1956 Dodge, 1954 DeSoto, 1962 Ford (Armstrong) 1956 DeSoto (Walters). Our deepest sympathy goes to Barbara, Brian Susan, Milton and Dawn and Grace, Hannah and Abby.
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