Coach John Asa Parham went home to be with the Lord peacefully at home on March 6, 2017 following several years of declining health at the age of 86. John was born the youngest of four children of Edward and Gertrude Parham in Oxford, NC on February 13, 1931.

He was reared in Oxford and was graduated from Oxford High School. He was graduated from Wake Forest College in 1955 where he played football and was a star running back. After college, he went to work in Morganton NC, teaching and coaching football. He moved back to Oxford to teach and coach several sports at Oxford High School. He moved to Henderson, NC to teach and coach at Henderson High School and then Vance Senior High. He became athletic director and retired from this position.

He is survived by one son, John A Parham, Jr of the home, one daughter, Jan P. House and husband Tal of Clayton NC, and two beloved grandchildren, Wesley, of Clayton and Michelle of Wilmington NC as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Janet, parents and two sisters, Evelyn Currin of Oxford and Pauline Tingen of Hampton, Va. and brother, W.E Parham of Raleigh, NC.

A special thank you goes to Linda Griffin, Angela Watson, Ella Evans, and Valerie Hargrove for their wonderful home care as well as Denise Smith and Crystal Edwards of United Home Care.

John was a member of First Baptist Church of Henderson.

John’s greatest joys in life were bass fishing, raising boxers, and playing and coaching football. He coached many memorable high school players over the years. He had a particular fondness for Tony Oakes, Mack Choplin, David Carver, Mike Satterwhite and Randy Ayscue who continued their relationships with “coach” long after graduation. Mack Choplin was instrumental in getting memorabilia added about John to the sports museum in Wake Forest.

There will be a private graveside service for family followed by a visitation for friends and family at Eakes Funeral Home, 106 Clement Ave, in Oxford on Thursday, March 9 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM.