Ernest Pharr's approach to journalism was a mirror image of his personality.

As editor of the Atlanta Inquirer for 20 years, he focused on being firm but fair — even through the most turbulent times of the civil rights era.

Family photo (ENLARGE)

Ernest Pharr interviewed actress Cicely Tyson and other celebrities as editor of the weekly Atlanta Inquirer for 20 years.

"My dad was a very gracious person," said his daughter Valecia L. Bello of Atlanta. "But whenever they needed to be asked, he asked the tough questions. He was a straightforward and honest writer."

While teaching high school English in the Atlanta public school system, Mr. Pharr took on the part-time job of editing the weekly paper.

It wasn't unusual, his daughter said, for Mr. Pharr to take time to come home for dinner with his family, then go back to the newspaper office.

"When he was leaving, we'd say, 'OK, Daddy, see you tomorrow,' because we knew we'd be asleep by the time he got home after putting the paper to bed," she said.

"But that's how committed he was to making sure everything was right," she said. "He was a perfectionist. Everything had to be in order. And he was the same way with his students."

Ernest Marcellus Pharr, 75, died of complications from cancer Monday at his Atlanta residence. The funeral is 2 p.m. today at Cosmopolitan AME Church. Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Pharr graduated from high school in Gastonia, N.C., where he was the editor of his school newspaper. He took on the same role at Clark College, where he graduated with a degree in English in 1954.

"Journalism was really his first love," said his friend Dr. Alfred Wyatt Sr. of Atlanta, "even though he was also a fine teacher and scholar."

Mr. Pharr earned his master's degree in English from Columbia University in the 1960s, and he did doctoral work at Georgia State University.

For 36 years, Mr. Pharr taught at L.J. Price and Dykes high schools.

With his red pencil at the ready, he was quick to correct an error. But with the young men he mentored, including some who have moved into prominent positions, there were other lessons he stressed.

"They got that foundation on how to be a good man and how to conduct themselves in public from my dad," his daughter said.

In his classroom, Mr. Pharr "always challenged his students," Dr. Wyatt said. "But he was a likeable fellow who was willing to work with his students, so they enjoyed working with him."

Mr. Pharr's work at the Inquirer started in the early '60s and continued for two decades. He interviewed civil rights icons and celebrities — from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to actress Cicely Tyson — while his wife served as the paper's society editor.

He wanted to make sure the Inquirer kept its coverage rooted in Atlanta. And part of that meant staying as closely tied to the community as he could.

He sang with his church's and his fraternity's choirs, was master of ceremonies for football halftime programs and other events, and spoke to any group that invited him.

"We knew him as Dad, who we always loved dearly and thought was special," his daughter said. "But now we're starting to fully understand the impact he had on other people and how special he was to them, too."

Survivors include his wife, Malinda Domineck Pharr, of Atlanta; another daughter, Danya Blount-Eggleston; two brothers, Milton E. Pharr of Williamstown, Mass., and Robert W. Pharr Jr. of Philadelphia; two sisters, Audrey Pharr Porter and Jennifer Pharr Davis, both of Gastonia, N.C.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.