Lawrence Underwood

Lawrence Michael “Mike” Underwood, beloved husband, father, and Gaga, passed away suddenly on January 21, 2022 at age 69.

Mike was born October 26, 1952 in Denver, Colorado to Robert and Janice Underwood. He graduated from George Washington High School and continued on to the University of Northern Colorado. He graduated in 1974 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Finance.  He married his first wife and mother to his two children, Valerie, in 1975.  Mike then served in the United States Navy in Pensacola, FL as a Naval aviator. He returned to Denver where his first jobs were in construction with his father and selling used cars. He then tried his hand at selling Zenith televisions, at which he was immediately successful. He launched his career in finance as the Finance Manager at Johnny Haas Lincoln Mercury. He then began his brokerage career at First Financial in 1980, which is where he met the beautiful Deanie Turner-Jacobson, a trader.  They married in 1985, blending their love for gardening, dogs, family and travel.

Mike was the ultimate entrepreneur.  While he achieved great success at his aforementioned jobs, he also took risks and dabbled in a variety of ventures including worm farms, a collection agency and a power plant. He found the most success, however, managing investments for the private family office he started around the turn of the century.

Mike was “all or nothing” in his approach to endeavors of all kinds.  “If you’re going to do it, do it the right way and do it all the way,” he would say.  His unmatched work ethic produced the most stunning flower gardens and gorgeous green lawns.  And he enthusiastically shared his gardening skills – dropping off fertilizer and flowers at family and friends’ homes throughout Denver every Spring.

Mike and Deanie’s home was always filled with the heavy breathing, slobber, and barking of at least 2 or 3, sometimes even 5, smash-faced dogs.  No matter the dog size or snoring volume, their dogs filed into the master bedroom every night, much to Mike’s delight.

He was an avid fan and loyal season ticket holder for both the Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos. He literally NEVER missed a home game – yes, Mike was at 81 Rockies home games last season and made several trips each year to see them on the road as well.

Mike was a loyal, generous, passionate, and most of all, kind friend.  He will be remembered fondly by an abundant group of friends whom he met in high school, college, the financial world and on the golf course at the Denver Country Club.

Though he left us too soon, he was fortunate to have experiences, and see places, most will never have the opportunity to do or see.  Mike often told his children “the harder you work, the luckier you get.” When reflecting recently on his own luck, Mike shared that his favorite memories were the 2018 Kentucky Derby and the 2019 Masters. But Mike was by far the happiest in Hawaii with his family every holiday season.

He is survived by the love of his life, Deanie, his children, Jennifer (Chris) Johnson, Brad (Ashley) Underwood and his five cherished grandchildren, Maddie, Cooper, Lanning, Jovie, and Walker, along with his former spouse and dear friend, Valerie Scott. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mike’s honor to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver or the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

A celebration of his life will be hosted on January 28th at 12:00 PM at Denver Country Club.