Robert Franklin Winfree, Sr, 86, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025 at the home of his son Robert Franklin Winfree (Bob) in Fayetteville, NC.  Frank was born on February 21, 1938, in Hoot Owl Hollow, West Virginia to Alice and Shedrick Winfree.

He excelled in sports, particularly basketball, and a three-year letterman when he graduated from Hillsborough High School (Tampa, FL) in 1956. In his senior year, Frank made All City and All State, and he was selected to play in the Florida All-Star North-South Game as a starter. After attending prep school, Frank transferred to Pembroke State College (PSC, now the University of North Carolina at Pembroke) in 1959. That summer he met and fell in love with Rosa Revels, a junior, and they married in December 1960. While at PSC, Frank led the Braves to 19 victories during the 1958-1959 and 1959-1960 campaigns, averaging 22.5 points and eight rebounds a game as a senior. Frank ranked among the nation’s top 25 scorers at the NAIA level during his final collegiate season.

Frank and Rosa were longtime residents of Charlotte, North Carolina, where he supported her mission to mentor and guide Native American students in the area. When not working in sales, Frank was either on the golf course or the basketball courts, playing in a basketball league well into his late 70s.

He loved his family and friends unconditionally. He always had a joke or funny story to tell, never met a stranger and declared himself the family baby whisperer – often saying to the mother of a crying baby "here, I'll take him".

He is survived by his sister, Joann Spivey, daughter Lori Winfree (Chuck), son Robert Franklin Winfree, Jr.  (Tisha) and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Rosa, sister Louise Thompson and brother Buddy Winfree.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in the fellowship hall at Pembroke First Baptist Church at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 30. A meal will be served immediately following at the Fellowship Hall of Pembroke First Baptist Church in Pembroke, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rosa & Frank Winfree Scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.