Johnnie A. (John) Pharis Jr., 84, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026, in College Station, TX.

He was born on April 20, 1942, in Little Rock, AR, to the late Johnnie and Nadale Umphers Pharis. Several years after the death of his mother, his dad married Barbara Bly. They were married for 63 years before Johnnie Sr’s passing.

John graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1960. He attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He later graduated with a Master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla.

After college, much to the chagrin of his adoring twin sisters Marilyn and Carolyn, he moved to St. Louis to work for General Motors. Later, he worked for Ralston Purina in St. Louis including a stint in Milan, Italy.

John then worked for engineering consulting company SSOE in Toledo before moving to Texas to work for BICC and then on lighting projects at DFW.

He married Joy Lynn Cayse, who he liked to call his “Precious Angel”, in June, 1988 and is survived by her in addition to his children Scott (Jenny) Pharis of Louisville, KY, David (Kellie) Pharis of Atlanta, GA, and Amy (Jeff) Lane of College Station, TX. He is also survived by his sisters Marilyn (Russell) Stout of St. Simons Island, GA, Carolyn (Craig) McCone of Little Rock, AR, his brother Gary (Shannon Dahlem) of Searcy, AR and his stepmother Barbara Bly Pharis of Little Rock, AR, in addition to 9 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and sang in several church choirs. Other hobbies he enjoyed were fishing, keeping up with the newest gadgets or electronics, photography, playing card and board games, entertaining friends and travel.

His love, care, intelligence and sense of humor will be missed by those that knew him and those that were part of his family.

He is buried at College Station Memorial Cemetery.