Ed Pharo

Edward Albert (Ed) Pharo, age 82, of Rockmart, GA was born in Birmingham, AL on November 27, 1932 a son of Ascho Pharo and Beulah Thomas Pharo and died on May 9, 2015 in Rome, GA.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, He went to Ramsay High School in Birmingham, AL where he was an outstanding four sport athlete in football, baseball, basketball and track. He graduated from Ramsay in 1950 and entered that fall at the University of Alabama on a football scholarship as a defensive back and he also played baseball at Alabama. In 1953 he played in the Orange Bowl where Alabama beat Syracuse 61 to 6.

He was drafted in 1953 while still in college by the U.S. Army and served his country for two years.

He enrolled again at Alabama in 1956 and completed his last two years playing football. He earned a Bachelor of Education degree at Alabama in 1958. He came to Rockmart in 1961 to accept the position of Assistant Varsity Football Coach and Physical Education teacher at RHS.

In 1968 he became the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at RHS and held that position until 1976. As Head Coach his record was 65-15-1 and never had a losing season. Perfect 10-0 seasons were in 1971 and 1973. In his career at RHS he coached football, baseball, golf, track and wrestling.

After his coaching career he worked in administration at Goodyear Elementary School and at Rockmart Middle School. He obtained his Masters in Physical Education from Jacksonville State University in 1973 and his M. ED in Education from the State University of West Georgia in 1979. He was a member of the National Education Association, Georgia Association of Educators and the Polk Association of Educators.

In 2003 he retired following a 42 year career in Rockmart with the Polk School District. He was inducted to the RHS Hall of Fame and was a member of the RHS Booster Club. He loved sports and coaching and all of his former athletes and students held a special place in his heart. He wanted for all of them to believe in themselves and be as successful as they could be.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: John, Milton, Jerry and Oscar Pharo; and sisters: Louise Pharo, Margaret Pharo Gellness and Catherine Pharo Glass.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Carolyn Campbell Pharo, Rockmart; son, Dean Pharo, Rockmart; daughter and son in law April and Neely Raper, Rome; much loved grandchildren: Sam and Holly Raper, Rome; brother, Anthony Pharo, Birmingham; sister, Lydia Pharo, Birmingham; father in law and mother in law, William and Velma Campbell, Rockmart; sister in law and brother in law, Ann and Danny Stanford, Rockmart. He also leaves behind a large, loving extended family of nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Rockmart Municipal Gymnasium (Old RHS Gym) on College Street with former student athlete Ronnie Davis officiating and eulogies given by other former students. Brown-Wright Post #12 of the American Legion will provide military honors. A private interment will follow at a later date in Rose Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends following the service in the gymnasium. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to RHS Athletic Booster Club c/o RHS, 990 Cartersville Hwy Rockmart, GA 30153.

The Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home is in charge of memorial arrangements.