William Cecil Trotman ’53, of Winston-Salem, N.C., died Apr. 8 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. He was born Oct. 19, 1930, in Winston-Salem to John Cecil Trotman and Maude Bohannon Trotman. He was the youngest of five children and was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, John F. Trotman; and sisters, Elizabeth Trotman and Camille Trotman Gaylord. He is survived by his brother, Marion Jackson Trotman (Betty), 109 Sutters Place Ct., Winston-Salem, NC 27104-3900; sister-in-law, Dorothy J. Trotman; and brother-in-law, Louis W. Gaylord. He is fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and served in the U.S. Army. He was passionate about theater and the arts and filled his life with activity on and around the stage. Bill studied with Stellar Adler at the renowned Stellar Adler Studio in New York City and worked at the Erie Playhouse in Erie, Pa. For years he designed sets and acted at the Alley Theater in Houston, Tex. In addition, he performed on Broadway, spent years in Hollywood, and owned a theater production company in Hawaii. He was the first dean of drama at the N.C. School of the Performing Arts. Later in life, he devoted much of his time to volunteer efforts at Forsyth Memorial Hospital and Old Salem. He also enjoyed travel and the celebration of life. Those who knew him will miss his generous spirit, warm smile, and acerbic wit.
Rev. Monsignor William Neal Pharr ’53
Reverend Monsignor William Neal Pharr ’53, of Charlotte, N.C., passed away on Apr. 5 at his residence at Sharon Towers. He was born on Feb. 24, 1931, son of the late William Neal Pharr and Anne McLaughlin Heath Pharr. He became interested in Catholicism while a student at Belmont Abbey Prep from 1946–49. His interest deepened in the next few years and he became a Catholic in 1952 while a student at Davidson College. After graduation from Davidson, he began studies for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, N.Y. He was ordained a priest at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte on May 26, 1960. Father Pharr spent his first year as a priest with the Missionary Fathers Apostolate as an assistant at St. John’s in North Wilkesboro. He then served as an assistant at St. Leo parish in Winston-Salem when he became temporary administrator of St. Charles parish in Ahoskie. Father Pharr became an assistant at St. Eugene’s in Asheville. He served there until he became pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Monroe and Sacred Heart in Wadesboro. Father Pharr also served as pastor of St. Benedict the Moor and Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Winston-Salem, St. James in Concord, Immaculate Conception parish in Hendersonville, as well as serving as chaplain and director of Our Lady of the Hills Camp near Hendersonville, a vicar for religious of the Diocese and director of the Diocesan Planning Council and the development of parish pastoral councils. The late Pope Paul VI appointed him a Prelate of Honor in October 1976 with the title of Monsignor. Monsignor Pharr was appointed pastor of St. Pius X in Greensboro. He later served as pastor of Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro, vicar of the Greensboro Vicariate, was named to the Diocesan Seminarian Formation Committee twice, pastor of Our Lady of Consolation parish in Charlotte, and pastor of Saint Vincent parish in Charlotte. After his retirement in July 2001, Monsignor Pharr continued to assist in various parishes and ministries in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Henry George Thomas ’53
Henry George Thomas ’53 died after a long illness at Calvary Hospital in Larchmont, N.Y., on Dec. 30. He was born Sept. 25, 1931, to the late May and Henry Thomas of Charlotte, N.C. He graduated from Central High School in 1949. George was a student at Mars Hill College, and following service in the Navy, he went on to graduate from Davidson College. He also enjoyed gardening and music. He was married to Dona Lucas of Larchmont, N.Y., where he settled and had a successful career in the food industry. He was a member of both the Larchmont Avenue Church in New York and Convenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. He spent many wonderful summers at his cottage in Northfield, Mass., with his family and dog, Buck. George also enjoyed Davidson College basketball. He is survived by his wife, Dona L. Thomas, 4 Elkan Rd., Larchmont, N.Y. 10538-3303; his son, James (Lauren), and children, Sadie and Jake, of Dartmouth, Mass.; his daughter, Susan of Larchmont, N.Y.; his brother, Tony (Judy) of Concord, N.C.; his niece, Evelyn Blalock (Bob) of Charlotte; his nephew, Robert Thomas of Hickory, N.C.; and his best friends, Carolyn Myers and her late husband Mike of Charlotte, N.C.
Carl Adam Thompson, Jr. ’53
Carl Adam Thompson, Jr. ’53, of Winston-Salem, N.C., passed away Aug. 25, 2007. Carl was born Nov. 28, 1926, in Lenoir and was the son of the late Carl Adam Thompson, Sr. and the late Lena Keyes Thompson. He was a graduate of Davidson and UNC where he obtained his M.B.A. In 1954, he began his work career with Western Electric in Winston-Salem where he held various accounting and financial positions. After 33 years of service, he retired from AT&T where he was controller in the federal affairs division. He served four years in the U.S. Army and was a member of a variety of business and civic organizations where he held various offices. He was a member of College Park Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Burr Thompson. In 1951, he married Mary Frances Howard, 2966 Ormond Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27106, who survives. He is also survived by three children, Marcus E. Thompson (Carol), John K. Thompson, and Kathryn Watson (Chad); four grandchildren, Amelia Thompson, and Tanner, McCabe, and Wade Watson; a sister, Patricia Beason; a sister-in-law, Beverly Howard; and a brother-in-law, Wesley Thompson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
David Wallace Robinson II ’53
David Wallace Robinson II ’53 of Columbia, S.C., died August 9. A son of the late Henry Burton Robinson and Lyda Studdert Robinson, he was born in Columbia and grew up in Raleigh, N.C. A 1949 graduate of Needham-Broughton High School and 1953 graduate of Davidson College, he served in Austria as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1958. He was first married to Isabelle Magnus Pilskaln of Easthampton, Mass. For over forty-two years, he practiced law with Robinson, McFadden and Moore law firm. From 1970-1975, he also served as General Counsel for Liberty Corporation and Liberty Life Insurance Company in Greenville, S.C. He was active in local, state, and national professional organizations, including the American Law Institute. He handled trials and appeals in state and federal courts including the United States Supreme Court. He was active in social and charitable organizations. He enjoyed travel and support of the arts. Mr. Robinson was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. He was preceded in death by his wife, LeDare Hurst Robinson. Survivors include his daughter, Ames “Amy” R. Cameron ’81; son, Clay D. Robinson (Ellison); stepsons, Harrison Thompson (April), John Thompson (Hope), Broadus Thompson (Mary), and Charlie Thompson; grandchildren, Greg and Maggie Cameron; Henry, Meredith and Sam Robinson; and Bryan, Sara, John, and Andrew Thompson; former son-in-law, Alan Cameron; and sister-in-law, Margaret Robinson. He was preceded in death by a brother, Burton Robinson, Jr.