October 18, 1962 – August 1, 2008
Ray Underhill was a Hendersonville, Tennessee native who rose to become a key member of the legendary 1980s Bones Brigade. Known for his social finesse and “country cool” demeanor, Underhill successfully navigated the intense California skate scene while remaining grounded in his small-town roots.
Skating Career & Legacy
- The Bones Brigade: Ray was part of the elite 1980s “super-team” alongside close friend Tony Hawk.
- Global Tours: He toured the world as a pro skater, famously visiting George Harrison’s mansion in Britain for a private session with the former Beatle’s son.
- Professional Transition: After retiring from the pro circuit, he became the Art Director at Eastern Skate Supply in Wilmington, N.C.—a testament to his stability and talent in an era when many peers struggled with the lifestyle.
Quick Hits & Fun Facts
- Musical Range: Before he was a pro skater, he was a prize-winning banjo player at age 14. Later, he embraced the New Wave scene, working at a record store and rocking fluorescent gear while listening to Duran Duran.
- The “Kokomo” Era: His early days in Tennessee revolved around a ramp run by a mystical Hawaiian figure known only as Kokomo.
- The M.E.S.S. Circuit: Ray was a standout in the Mid-Eastern Skateboard Series, a semi-formal league that predated the modern contest circuit and fostered the exchange of DIY “skate ‘zines” like Skatenn.
- Pop Culture: He starred alongside Tony Hawk in a Mountain Dew commercial featuring the tagline “Country Cool.”
Personal Life
Underhill is survived by his wife, Kerry. “Everyone said he was a very nice man,” she told me, tearing up. She recalled the idyllic early days of her relationship with Ray: mornings spent on the beach, long afternoons at Hawk’s back-yard ramp listening to Jane’s Addiction.
The Ray Underhill Foundation
Following Ray’s passing from a chordoma brain tumor in 2008, his family and friends established the Ray Underhill Foundation. This non-profit organization raises funds to support families affected by chordoma and other rare cancers.