Lieutenant Colonel John L. Pharaoh, 73, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on Monday, April 30, 2018. He was a U.S. Army veteran and highly decorated Green Beret who was a member of the Special Forces and served in the Vietnam War.
Col. Pharaoh was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Willie Charlie and Verlene (Clements) Pharaoh. He enlisted in the Army in 1965 and completed his Special Forces Officer Course, Airborne School, Infantry Officer Candidate School, and Light Weapons Infantryman Course in 1966. He served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam and upon returning to the states he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He re-enlisted in the Army in 1977 and completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Adjutant General Officer Advance Course, and Command and General Staff College. He retired from the Army in 1991 and taught JROTC at Northside High School before fully retiring.
During Col. Pharaoh’s service he was awarded the National Defense Services Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Overseas Service Bars, Special Forces Tab, Army Service Ribbon, 2 Expert Badges (rifle), and Expert Badge (pistol).
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sandra Pharaoh of Fort Smith, AR; one daughter, Jennifer Pharaoh of Spring Hill, TN; one son, Chris Pharaoh and his wife, Katie Lynn of Columbia, TN; six grandchildren, Matthew Lewis, Zachary Burgess, Benjamin, Jennalyn and Jacob Blair all of Spring Hill, TN and Elliott Hickerson of Columbia, TN; two brothers, Tom Pharaoh of Oklahoma City, OK and Billy Pharaoh of Noble, OK and one sister, Ann Pharaoh of Norman, OK.
Col. Pharaoh was a brave and loyal soldier, as well as a patient and loving husband, father and grandfather. He was fiercely devoted to his wife, Sandy, and she was to him as well. One of his greatest joys in life were his grandchildren, and he was the very best Papa they could ever ask for.
Graveside services with full military honors are 2:00PM, Monday, May 7, 2018 at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Ln, Nashville, Tennessee under the direction of Williamson Funeral Home in Franklin, Tennessee. Local arrangements are under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

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