Robert "Bob" Reece Pharr

Robert “Bob” Reece Pharr, of Salisbury, NC passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Bob was born April 6, 1935, in Statesville, NC, the youngest of seven children to George Ray Pharr and Leola Robbins Pharr. His early education was in the Statesville City School System. After graduation from Statesville High School in 1954, he attended High Point College on a basketball and baseball scholarship. At this time, he planned on majoring in biology and physical education to become a teacher and a high school coach. Late into his senior year of college in 1958, he chose to enter the military service and get his military obligation completed. He served six months of active duty and four years in the reserves. After leaving the Army’s six-month active duty, he enrolled at Lenior-Rhyne College to complete his degree in biology and physical education. His career in teaching and coaching began at Troutman High School where he taught biology and physical education while coaching football, basketball and baseball. After five years of teaching and coaching he signed a professional contract to play baseball for the Houston Astros farm club in Statesville, NC. Bob returned to teaching and coaching at Boyden High School (now Salisbury High School). In 1980 he gave up his teaching and coaching position to become the assistant principal and athletic director. He served in that capacity for the next nine years. During those nine years the athletic program had great success in all the sport’s areas. During a three-year period, the school won the Wachovia Cup Award for having the most successful athletic program in the state. After retiring in 1989, Bob spent the next five years as a part-time teacher and assistant football coach at Mooresville High School. In 1995 he finally fully retired from educational duties. Perhaps his greatest enjoyment was coaching basketball. He always considered coaching basketball as simply teaching another discipline in the school’s curriculum. He was inducted and recognized by numerous groups for his successful coaching career. He felt like in this area of teaching he was able to be more of a role model and could have a positive influence in his student and athlete’s life. Bob’s philosophy was, “It’s not important how much you gather as you go through life, but how much you scatter.” He would like to be remembered as someone who gave more than he took. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Judy Webb Pharr and siblings, Lawrence Pharr, Nick Pharr, Doug Pharr, Ray Pharr, Bill Pharr and Emily Arey. Left to cherish Bob’s memory is his wife of 21 years, Susan Brown Pharr; son, Jay Barringer; daughters, Malea Jones, Allison Wilson (Gray); grandchildren, Chase Jones, Lauren Jones, Molly Wilson, Ella Wilson, Graham Wilson; nieces and nephews, Cindy Arey-Schank (Jim), Frank Arey (Paula), DeeDee Pharr Bitter (Randy), Lawrence Pharr, Jean Lynch, and Anne Pharr Jackson. A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday (June 24) at First Baptist Church of Salisbury, officiated by Rev. Steve Gandy. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 223 N. Fulton Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Pharr family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Robert "Bob" Reece Pharr

April 6, 1935 - June 18, 2026