John Underwood doesn’t like to wait too long to trim the lawn of his Hayden home. 

Every few days, he fires up the mower and pushes it back and forth in long, straight lines over his large backyard. He figures the exercise and the sunshine are good for him. 

“It’s quite a job to mow all this. If you skip a day, it gets away from you,” he said. “It's not so bad once you get out there.” 

Underwood has always been one to get out there in the thick of things.

The Korean War veteran is soon to celebrate his 92nd birthday. He remains positive in attitude, strong in body and sharp of mind, for which he takes no credit.

“I had a very strong Norwegian mother,” Underwood said with a laugh as he sat in his comfortable and bright living room. 

If there were a word to describe John Underwood, grateful would be a candidate. Humble and gracious also come to mind. He appreciates where he’s been, the people he has loved, what he’s done and where he is today.  

“A great life. I’ve enjoyed many wonderful things,” he said. 

Underwood was born in Duluth, Minn., and raised in Grand Marais, Minn., on the north shore of Lake Superior. His father worked in border patrol. The family moved a few times before he graduated from high school in Texas. Not long after, he joined the Marines. 

Soon after, he joined the U.S. effort in the Korean War and quickly found himself on the frontlines and patrolling the demilitarized zone. 

"We lived in the trenches for a year,” Underwood said. “But most of the shooting was done when I got there. Korea, for me, was not that bad.” 

He became a staff sergeant and served four years in the military,  

“I was very proud of that. It's done me well,” he said, smiling. “Everywhere you go, somebody says something good about the Marine Corps. If they don’t, they’re in trouble.” 

Underwood attended the University of Idaho on the G.I. Bill and studied forestry. It became his career. He primarily worked in California and was in charge of timber production.  

“It was a pretty big job, but I had a lot of help,” he said. 

Later, he fell in love with Gail Monroe, a Rhodes Scholar, and they married.  

“That was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me,” he said. 

They were together nearly 40 years, traveled often, had three children and shared life before Gail died about seven years ago. 

"Outstanding, brilliant woman. I loved her very much. I miss her,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. “I think of her every day, but that’s life. You gotta take the good with the bad.” 

He lives in a well-kept home with the assistance of Touching Hearts at Home, which provides senior care services.  

“I’m a very fortunate fellow to have people like this helping me,” Underwood said. 

Jeri Pleticha, owner of Touching Hearts at Home, said they check on Underwood daily to be sure everything is OK, perhaps take him to appointments and make sure he’s eating well. 

“Bachelors don’t eat very much,” Pleticha said, laughing. 

“When I do, it’s the wrong thing," Underwood answered.

“We think you’re special,” Pleticha said. 

Underwood’s sanctuary at his longtime Hayden house is his garden. On the gate leading into it is a sign: “How lovely is the silence of growing things.” 

“That's what keeps me going right now is my garden,” he said. 

Underwood loves his quiet time outside, tending to tomatoes and he’s trying something new, goji berries. 

“Have you ever heard of a goji berry? It's supposed to be some sort of health thing, really good for you,” he said.

Meanwhile, he's looking forward to a birthday this week. He has no doubt that he has a lot to celebrate.

“It’s been a great career. Nothing to complain about. Nothing to look back on and wish I had done differently," Underwood said. "I sleep well at night.” 

    John Underwood at his Hayden home on Wednesday.
  

    John Underwood after he joined the Marines.