Roll Call Tribute

Fred A. "Skeeter" Pharis, III

February 11, 1944 - June 24, 2023 

On June 24, 2023, Fred A. Pharis, III passed away suddenly while on vacation in New Braunfels with his daughter, Tracy, and grandchildren, Tenley and Kasen. Skeeter, as he was nicknamed before he was born, was hunting fossils and rocks when the Lord called him home to join his wife, Linda.

Skeeter was born on February 11, 1944, in Meridian, Mississippi, to Dr. Fred A. Pharis, Jr. and Mary Annette Riggs Pharis. He may not have been born in Texas, but thanks to a military transfer, he got here before his first birthday. Skeeter was a true Texan and spent his childhood exploring the world with his lifelong friend, Jim Slaid. Skeeter and Jim also enjoyed teasing and pestering his younger siblings, Donna Lou and Phillip (“Flip”).

Skeeter graduated from Jesse H. Jones High School in Houston, Texas. He attended Alvin Junior College where he met the love of his life, Linda Ann Plentl. Linda and Skeeter were married on June 10, 1967. Skeeter served in the United States Air Force from 1968 through 1972, during which time he proudly served our county as a flight line ordinance crew chief in Vietnam.

His first child, Shannon Marie Pharis, was born on February 27, 1971. After his military service, Skeeter, Linda and Shannon moved to San Marcos, Texas, where he attended Southwest Texas State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s in Earth Sciences. His second daughter, Tracy Ann Pharis was born on September 29, 1980.

Skeeter earned a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University. After graduating from Texas A&M, he became a junior high science teacher where he endeavored to pass on his love for geology and all sciences to his many students.

Skeeter’s greatest love was his family. His dedication to his family was evident in his every action and word. Being the best Paw Paw to his twin grandchildren, Tenley Ann Perry and Kasen Blaine Perry, brought him his greatest joy in recent years. He lived to take them and pick them up from school and attend every activity possible.

Skeeter will be missed by so many for his kindness and gentle manner. His family will greatly miss going to Friday night dinners with him and his companionship. He was always up for any adventure…trips to Disney, Hawaii, Alaska, hunting, fishing and even shopping.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Fred A. Pharis, Jr. and Mary Annette Pharis, and his wife, Linda Ann Pharis. He is survived by his sister, Donna Lou Pharis Hill and her husband Russell Hill; his brother Phillip A. Pharis and his wife, Barbara Pharis; his daughters Shannon Pharis and Tracy Perry; his twin grandchildren Tenley Ann Perry and Kasen Blaine Perry; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was a good man.