Eugene “Gene” Underwood after a long and wonderful life went home to be with his Lord God on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. He was 80.

Gene was born in Hammond, La., to his wonderful parents, Waymond Fowler Underwood and Margaret Arnold Underwood. He served in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in England and was discharged from the Air National Guard of Tennessee in 1953. Gene was a graduate of Keegan’s School of Radio Broadcasting and Television in Memphis, receiving his diploma in 1954. He and his wife, Tillie Baroudy Underwood, established in 1965 Radio Station WQMV which was Vicksburg’s first FM radio station. He was an active member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, where he served on the various committees of the church for many years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Tillie Baroudy Underwood and his parents, Waymond Fowler Underwood and Margaret Arnold Underwood.

He is survived by his sister, Nina Underwood Wilson, (Terryl) of Memphis; two nieces, Margaret Wilson of Houston and Elizabeth Eason (Stephen) of Fort Worth, Texas; three great-nieces and one great-nephew; and numerous other family including the Baroudy family whom he loved dearly.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church with the Very Rev. John Morris, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at Riles Funeral Home with Trisagion Prayers at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the service.

Memorials may be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 2709 Washington St., Vicksburg, MS 39180 and to Crosses Across America, 3300 Indiana Ave., Suite C, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

Pallbearers will be John Brasfield, Bob Brasfield, David Brasfield, Jeff Caubarreaux, Mike Baroudy, Kaleel Jabour, Clyde Ellis and Peter Mims.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Freddy Abraham, Johnny Mims, Charles Toney, Rickey Mitchell, George M. Nasif, Elias Rantisi, George Tzotzolas, Lester Tzotzolas, Ed Willis and Wayne Thornton.