Percy Paul Pharr Jr., M.D.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Percy Paul Pharr Jr., M.D. died May 28, 2004 at the University of Virginia hospital of heart failure at the age of 71.

Dr. Pharr was born April 9, 1933 to Dr. Percy Paul Pharr of Gap Mills and Margaret McElrath Pharr of Bramwell. He graduated from Bramwell High School in 1950 and attended Davidson College for one year before joining the Air Force in 1952 during the Korean War. He flew B-29 bombers, and served in the Strategic Air Command in England and Germany before returning to the U.S.

He left the Air Force in 1958 and finished his undergraduate education at West Virginia University. He started medical school at West Virginia University and finished his education at the Medical College of Virginia.

He married Carol Bricker of Bluefield in August of 1961.

He trained in OB-GYN for three years at MCV and joined the medical practice of his uncle P.J. McElrath in Raleigh, N.C. in 1967. He moved to Newport News, Va. in 1968 and started his own practice, later combining with Drs. Wash and Hancock to expand their business. During his medical career, he delivered over 3,000 babies, caring for three generations of families before his retirement in 1997.

He was an avid reader and collector of books and owned and operated a dairy farm for years in Elkton, Va. During retirement, he and his wife refurbished and expanded a 19th century waterfront home on Lambs Creek in Yorktown, Va., where they enjoyed carpentry, landscaping, and gardening.

He and his wife moved to Charlottesville, Va. in April 2003.

He is survived by his wife, his three children, and two siblings.

Paul, born 1968, graduated from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University, and now resides in Annapolis, Md. with his wife Aimee Baird Pharr and their three children Matthew (aged 3), Sarah, and Emily (both aged 1).

Elizabeth, born 1970, graduated from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina, and now resides in Slidell, La. with her husband Michael von Bodungen.

Margaret, born 1972, graduated from Rice University, and now resides in Nokesville, Va. with her husband Duncan MacPherson. They are expecting a child in November.

Two siblings also survive Dr. Pharr. His sister Pat Weidler lives in Waldorf, Md., and his brother William Frederick Pharr lives in Danville, Pa. His sister, Jone Cook, died in 1998.

A graveside memorial service was held Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at Monticello Memory Gardens, Charlottesville, Va.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, 3025 Berkmar Dr., Charlottesville, VA or the local charity of your choice.

Teague Funeral Service of Charlottesville was in charge of arrangements.

1948-49 BRAMWELL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM FEATURING "PAUL "PUNKY" PHARR"

( Information furnished by: Doug Murphy, BHS Class '51. )