Obituary of Rocky Anthony Pharris

Rocky Tyler Anthony Pharris, age 29, finished his 12 year fight with testicular cancer on June 2, 2006 at his home in Stratton, CO. He was born May 25, 1977, in Fort Collins, CO to John and Debbie Pharris and was the oldest of 2 boys. He spent his youth in Loveland, CO where he was a baseball catcher and football receiver from the age of 8 through high school and was a youth umpire for the Loveland Baseball Association. He met his wife Melissa in high school and graduated from Thompson Valley High School in 1995. He continued his education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley where he was a catcher for the Bears while he earned his Bachelors degree in Earth Science with an emphasis in secondary education in 2000. He married Melissa July 8, 2000 and they moved to Stratton, CO where Rocky passionately taught high school science for 6 years. He finished his Masters degree in Administration with the University of Phoenix in April 2006. He became a coach for the Stratton Recreation Club for girl’s softball in 2001 and continued for the next 5 summers. At Stratton, he was an assistant track coach for 1 year, assistant baseball coach for 1 year and head coach for 2 years, head coach for Stratton softball for 2 years and head coach for the Stratton/Burlington softball team for 2 years. He received numerous awards through his playing, coaching, and teaching career. When he had spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, racing, camping, and spending time with Melissa and their lab Keola and family and friends. He is survived by his wife Melissa and their yellow lab Keola of Stratton, CO, parents John and Debbie Pharris of Arkansas, younger brother John Pharris, wife Jennifer and baby of Davie, Florida, parent-in-laws Mike and Barb Musgrave of Loveland, CO, sister-in-laws Kate Arthur, husband Coty and nephew Christopher of Stratton, CO, Liz Larman and husband Chris of Loveland, CO, grandmothers Laura Pharris of Loveland, CO, Millie Henry of Pawnee, IL, Mary Musgrave of Hoyt, CO, Betty Barthlama of Loveland, CO and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Rocky is preceded in death by grandfathers Conrad Pharris, John Porter Henry, John Musgrave, Carl Barthlama and sister-in-law Jody Musgrave. Rocky was an inspiration to many with the show of his character in his brave fight and advocacy for self examinations with testicular cancer. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Rocky Pharris Scholarship Fund for future teachers to the First National Bank of Stratton, PO Box 286 Stratton, CO 80836. A memorial service for Rocky was held on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at 10:00 AM at the Stratton Softball field in Stratton with Pastor Todd Everhart officiating.