Jerry Underwood started Community Cars in historic Kingsland in the early 2000s. A small-town lot — not a chain, not a tent sale — for people who wanted a fair car from someone they would see again on Sunday.
Lamar Underwood had already spent a lifetime in cars. He worked at Toyota as a young man, opened his first lot in the 1970s in Jacksonville — Expressway Auto Sales — and later ran Lamar’s Cars in Yulee, Florida. More than forty years of it. When Jerry had the Kingsland lot going, Lamar came north to join his brother.
To Jacob and Jordan Naugle, Lamar is like a grandpa. They started as kids washing cars for him on the lot. He taught the work. Jacob took to it because it was never just inventory.
Today, Lamar, Jacob, and Jordan continue to operate the business. The kids who washed the cars are partners now. Jordan works the lot — he does not take the phones. That is still Jacob and Lamar.
The lot
This is the frontage on King Avenue.
Live oak, Spanish moss, a brick sidewalk, and the sign with Lamar’s cell on it.
The oak and the brick walkThe sign on King AvenueLooking down the lot
Historic downtown
We work in a railroad town that still looks like itself.
Railroad town, then and nowKing AvenueCommercial Historic DistrictThe walkable downtownMain street storefrontsCity Hall
Before Kingsland
Lamar’s Cars in Yulee, Florida
After Jacksonville and Expressway Auto Sales, Lamar ran his own lot in Yulee. The sign said Lamar’s Cars — his name, his shop, a stretch of North Florida years before he drove north to work with Jerry. That is the lot he left to come to King Avenue. The way Community Cars prices a car and stands behind it still comes from those years.
1970s
Expressway Auto Sales
Lamar works at Toyota as a young man, then opens his first lot in Jacksonville.
Yulee
Lamar’s Cars
His own lot in Yulee, Florida — the years of work he brought with him when he joined his brother in Kingsland.
Early 2000s
Jerry starts Community Cars
Jerry Underwood opens the Kingsland lot. Lamar comes north to work with his brother. Jacob and Jordan start as kids washing cars for Mr. Lamar.
Today
Still on King Avenue
Today, Lamar, Jacob, and Jordan continue to operate the business — partners now, the same lot they grew up on.
Community Cars · Kingsland Ga.
Company creed
Our utmost regard is to Jesus, the Son of God, our Savior and Lord.
Our striving is to live out His will for our lives.
We believe finding good vehicles and matching them with good customers is our service to the community and our income provision for our families.
Our ministry is also through this company that we might witness Christ to you and to encourage our customers to seek Him and to have a close relationship with Him.
