Alfred William Underdown, 97, passed away peacefully at his home in Columbia, Maryland, on Friday, June 1, 2018.  He moved to Maryland shortly after graduating from Hampton (Institute) University in 1953, where he began his career as a counselor at the Cheltenham Youth Facility.  He was a lifelong civil servant, retiring from the District of Columbia Department of Juvenile Justice in 1980.  After a brief retirement, he worked another 30 years at the Woodland Job Corps Center in Laurel, Maryland.

He was an active member of the Laurel Boys and Girls Club, having coached his son Kevin on numerous football teams.  He also participated in the St. Vincent Pallotti High School football program.  Alfred was an avid train enthusiast, and shared his love of trains and train travel with his children and grandchildren.  He served in the US Army during World War II as a member of the cavalry and after being honorably discharged in 1945, he enrolled in his beloved Hampton Institute where he received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration.

Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eliza, his brothers, Frank and Guy, and his cherished wife of 61 years, Gladys.  He is survived by his children, Sharen White, Karen Day, Kevin Underdown, Erica Palmer (Ronnie) and Linda Butler; grandchildren, Amber Day, Chris, Brittany and Al White, Justin and Jared Butler, Aaron Solomon, Ashley Underdown and Essence Palmer; great grandchildren, Aja, Landon, London, Braylen, Kellen, Layla and Jaylen.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 8, 2018 at Thornton Funeral Home, 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Viewing, 10 am until time of service, 11 am.  Interment, 1 pm at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.