Jesse Ura UnderwoodShasta Lake, CA1918 - 2017Jesse Ura Underwood passed away peacefully at his home in Shasta Lake on January 14, 2017 at age 98.Jesse was born on September 29, 1918 at the family farm in Delaware County, Oklahoma and grew up during the Great Depression. He graduated from Chilocco Indian School, Oklahoma and attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas with his lifelong friend Joe Manatowa. He volunteered for active service at the onset of World War II. He flew 93 missions for Army Air over the European Theater. He was shot down over France, became a POW, escaped and was returned to Britain with the aid of the French Resistance. He received the Purple Heart, Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross.After the war he married Nancy Anne Mueller of San Antonio, Texas. He then flew as a pilot for American Airlines. In 1948 Jesse and Nancy moved to Summit City. He was recruited as a teacher at Toyon School by Matt Rumboltz. He subsequently obtained his teaching credential and administrative credential from Chico State. He became principal/superintendent of Enterprise Elementary School District in 1952, a post he held until 1975. During his tenure he oversaw the construction of Parsons, Mistletoe, Shasta View and Alta Mesa schools.Jesse was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and had a cabin at Tulelake for many years. He enjoyed fishing on Shasta Lake and did his part to reduce the bass population on the lake. He liked snow skiing on Mount Shasta, a mountain he climbed three times. He also enjoyed golfing and was a member of Riverview Golf and Country Club in his earlier years.He is survived by his wife Nancy, son Jesse Jr, daughter Juli, and grandchildren Alyssa, Amanda, Jacob and Justin, great grandchildren Aiyana, Jacoby, Cody, Jesse, and Shayla.Services will be held at Redding Cemetery on February 10th at 1:00PM.Please sign the guest book at http://obits.redding.com