Gerald “Jerry/DJ DAWG” Roy Underwood, 70, of Wooster died on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at his home.
He was born July 20, 1955, in Clearwater, MI to James and Margaret Ball Underwood.
Jerry retired after more than 43 years working for Goodwill Industries. He was an avid Cleveland sports fan, especially the Browns and the Guardians (Indians). He was an online DJ for over 20 years and enjoyed playing games with his family. He was especially fierce in Monopoly and Yahtzee.
He is survived by his sister Sandy Berlin of Barberton; sister-in-law (and best friend) Edee Hatfield of Wooster; his sister from another Mother Sharon Collings of Nova Scotia; nieces and nephews Brenda Akers (Jim), Jeff Graser (Barb), Tommy Graser (Susie), James Berlin (Pam), John Berlin, Chris Berlin (Cindy), Rebecca Schrier (Doug), Aaron Hopkins (Julie), Bryon Hopkins (Ann), Missy Yoder (Keith), Billy Underwood, Jason Underwood, Heather Harbert (Roger), Jen Underwood; cousins and fellow online DJs and friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Wile Underwood; his parents; siblings Sheila Hopkins and Bill Underwood.
A Gathering of Friends will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster. Private inurnment will be held in Reedsburg Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Contributions may be made to the funeral home to help defray expenses.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Bro, I’m going to miss you so much. You was my rock for so many years. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to do this. I loved you just like a big brother. You always had my back as you would say. Thank you for the great memories, the laughs, the love of music we had, and above all us the very special friendship we had.
Miss you so much. Pam is waiting for you I know you are happy to be reunited withher
DeputyDawg, Bro, DD, Jerry – was one of those people who just got you. We’d give each other absolute grief on a daily basis, the way only real friends can get away with. He was convinced I had a thing for Hooters girls 😄 and I never let him forget about a certain pizza girl he’d go suspiciously quiet about… 🍕😏 We never did settle that score.
He was a brilliant DJ – and I mean that. The man knew music like most people know breathing. But I’ll quietly take credit for the fact that I managed to slip a few covers past him – songs he knew and loved, done differently – and watching him come around on them? That was a small, beautiful victory I’ll treasure. 😄
But honestly, it’s not the big stuff I’m going to miss the most.
It’s the morning catch-ups. Most days, he’d tell me – stuck on a Candy Crush level, checking Facebook, then off out for his morning walk. Just… Bro being Bro. Consistent, warm, and always there.
Until he wasn’t.
I’m going to miss his stories. I’m going to miss the nonsense. I’m going to miss him.
Rest easy, my friend. I hope wherever you are, the music is great, the pizza girl is there, and you finally beat that Candy Crush level.
🐾✨
As I look to the sky, I’m sure I see a new star tonight, I know you’re watching bro – #30+ will make you proud
Forever your friend,
Wabbit
I’m going to miss you soooooooooooooo much, you were such a good friend. You always checked on me and made me laugh. Tuesday mornings, will never be the same. Thanks for the sports talk, kind words, and the laughs Love you
Jerry DJ dawg, You were always such a pleasure to talk to. Your stories always made me laugh as well as many others. I really enjoyed your shows, you had great taste in music that’s for sure! I will miss you my friend.
Until we meet again crank out some great tunes after all you have a huge audience to DJ to now! 💙
Dawg,
Saturday nights will never be the same again, the “Who.. who.. who..” will forever echo in my head,
the way Bashie would tell everyone to “hold on everyone, they are just like my kids, they have to get it out of their system…” would make me smile and laugh.
When my husband died, you told me that I could call you anytime, and I did, sometimes it was a shot call, sometimes we would talk for an hour or more.
When you told me how old you where when you lost your Pammy, you where the same age as me, when I lost my the love of my life, my Jon, you would always tell to think of the good.
You helped me so much Dawg, I’m going to miss you more than words can say.
My saying, I have on a shirt, “Your wings where ready, but my heart was not” is never more true than right now….
Love you Dawg,
MrsNino
What a great time I had talking music & sports with you through the years. Thank you for being such a good friend.
I’m going to miss you old buddy.
God bless you.
JUPITER-
I don’t know where to start. So much in my head and heart that’s hard to put to words. Maybe I will start with you were one of a kind. The kind that was always there for me, always!
I remember you babysitting us as kids on Allison Drive. Not sure how mom talked you into it but you did it. On family holidays, letting me hide in your room so we could both escape the madness. We spend hours playing Long Ball. Which I never won at!
You were always up to playing catch for hours usually until we were both exhausted, but neither of us wanted to be the first to quit. Then there were those famous road trips in the Chevette—a car that definitely had more stories to tell than horsepower. Not sure how it got us to Baseball HOF but it did! Countless Ohio River trips to catch giant catfish which we never did! We even hauled ourselves all the way to New York for trout fishing, though I think we spent to much time joking around and we didnt actually catch anything. We were not very successful at fishing road trips Jerry! Our only success at catching anything was the little creek behind you house.
1985 Live WrestleMania 1 on the big screen at Richfield! All weekendMadden tournaments. Always used that cheating Eagles team—‘caw caw’. I’m pretty sure you had some secret glitch only he knew about because nobody got hurt on your team! We could talk sports 24/7 without either of us getting bored. Whether it was Ohio State vs Michigan, Indians or the Browns we could talk hours.
My favorite memories will always be Sunday game days with my family! I think you were on to something with Pam and Vanessa using signs during Uno!! Hours of just playing board games, good food, listening to oldies, telling stories and being together! Definitely will miss these moments the most dude!
Music was always in your life! Always playing on all those miles in the Chevette and adventures. Even now, when a song comes on, I can still hear you laughing, telling me some trivia about the song and feel you right there next to me.
You created a safe, fun world for me when my world was dark. You were more than my uncle! You were a protector, a teammate, a Fishing buddy, a road-trip DJ, a personal sports talk host, and a friend who was always there, always!
Until we meet again dude!
We love you and miss you uncle Jerry you may be gone but you’ll forever be in our hearts your niece Brenda Akers & Jim Akers
Bro, your positivity was always a blessing. Your patience and caring will leave a mark on me. The openness and easy going attitude you exuded, it shined through, It was YOU.
Rest easy my friend, I hope you have found Pam, tell all our other friends there if you can, we miss them as much as we miss you, maybe one day when my time has come, I will see you again.
DougLee
^5