Thomas (Papa) Cleveland Pharr Jr. was born to Thomas Cleveland Pharr Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Sparks Pharr on January 11, 1926 in Belmont MS. He transitioned on October 10,2022 in his sleep at home. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Nancy, brothers, Jim, Jack, Paul, Bobby and sisters, Vivian, Grace, Tee.

He is survived by his children Butch (Liz Anne), Joe (Debbie), and Janis, his grandchildren Jason (Kim), Tara (Matt), Bryan, Carrie (Cory), Randal (Hannah), Nathan (Morgan) and Nicholas. He leaves behind eight great grandchildren, Makenzie (Nic), Riley, Zach, Dylan, J.R., Brady, Palmer and Conrad. He also leaves behind his sisters, Margie and Betty, sisters in law Jackie and Buntye, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Papa had a long and full life. He served in the Marine Corps and was a WWll  combat veteran. He saw action in the South Pacific aboard the battleship USS South Dakota. One of the first Americans into Tokyo Harbor he witnessed the signing of the peace treaty with Japan aboard the battleship USS Missouri. He retired with the rank of captain from the Memphis Fire department as a firefighter. In retirement, Papa was always busy, usually repairing something one of us had broken.

Before Nancy's death in 2013, their home was the holiday hub for the family. Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions continued at PaPa's  insistence at his home. He loved having everyone there and with marriages and births the numbers rose, but the more the merrier was his attitude. Dad was the glue that held this family together.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that, you send a donation to St. Jude Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, Memphis Fire Museum or to the charity closest to your heart.

The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the amazing caregivers he had this past year. You made his life so much more.

Visitation will be October 18th from 1:00p.m. until 2:00p.m. with graveside service to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery East located at 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38133. Reception to follow off site.