Herbert "Herb" Franklin Pike

Herbert Franklin Pike, 79, of Pinehurst, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025.

Born and raised in Siler City, North Carolina, Herb earned an Undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and a Master’s degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, both in Physical Education. Herb competed on the baseball team while at Wake Forest. He taught and coached in North Carolina public schools for about 25 years before retiring and following his dream to earn his PGA Class A certification to become a PGA Teaching Pro.

Herb’s love of golf was obvious to everyone who knew him, and he shared this love through coaching golf for over 45 years, the majority of those years he spent at Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, NC, and at Sandhills Community College in Southern Pines, NC. He was also a recreational fisherman and enjoyed sharing this pastime with his kids, grandkids, and extended family.

He is survived by his children, Katie Starck, and her husband Paul Starck, and Emily Pike; grandchildren Connor and Ethan Starck; brother Jerry Pike and his wife, Wilma; his beloved nieces and nephew, Patty, Darla, Chad, and Ginna.

A visitation with the family will be at 11am and a Celebration of Life will be at 12 pm on Saturday, July 12 at Loves Creek Baptist Church in Siler City, 1745 East 11th Street, Siler City, NC 27344. Services will be officiated by Reverend Jason Dickerson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Herb Pike’s name can be made to First Tee Triangle (https://firstteetriangle.org/), a program to teach kids the game of golf as a way to build inner strength and self-confidence.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Pike family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com