PASSINGS

Cecil Underwood

W. Virginia’s ex-governor

Cecil Underwood, 86, a one-time high school teacher who went on to hold the distinction of being West Virginia’s youngest and oldest governor, died Monday at Charleston Area Medical Center, hospital spokesman Dale Witte said. The cause of death was not announced.

Underwood became West Virginia’s youngest governor when he won his first term in 1956 at the age of 34. He won his second term 40 years later on his 74th birthday.

Underwood entered politics at 22, successfully running as a Republican for the state House of Delegates representing Tyler County. After serving six terms in the House, he won his first four-year term as the state’s chief executive.

He fought the Democratic-controlled Legislature for four years, but was unable to run for reelection because West Virginia’s Constitution then limited a governor to one four-year term.

Underwood was drafted to run for governor in 1996 and defeated Democrat Charlotte Pritt, carrying 38 of the state’s 55 counties. He lost his reelection bid in 2000.

Born in 1922 in Josephs Mills, W.V., Underwood spent his early years in Tyler County, graduating from Tyler County High School in 1939 and Salem College in 1943. He earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University in 1952.

Robert Lucas

Blues singer for Canned Heat

Robert Lucas, 46, a blues singer known for his barrelhouse vocals who until recently fronted the blues band Canned Heat, died Sunday at a friend’s home in Long Beach of a suspected drug overdose, his former manager Skip Taylor said.

Lucas had two stints as lead singer, harmonica and bottleneck guitar player between 1994 and 2008 for Canned Heat, the blues and boogie band that formed in 1965 and had late ‘60s hits with “Goin’ up the Country” and “On the Road Again.”

“His unequaled fury and stage presence, together with his earth-shattering vocal delivery, gave him the ability to channel many of the blues masters through his words, songs and musical ability,” Taylor said in a statement. “He has been recognized by blues fans and critics worldwide as one of the most inspired singer, player and songwriter talents of the past decade.”

Lucas recently left the band to pursue his solo career and wrote and recorded seven solo albums.

-- Times wire reports