Herbert Ivan Ferguson Jr., 88, of Paris, Texas, left this world for his heavenly reward on March 4, 2019. Herb, as he was known, was born the eldest of 9 children to Herbert Ferguson and Bessie Casdorph Ferguson on September 12, 1930 on a farm in Dewey County, Oklahoma.
Herb lived a full life. He served from 1952-1954 in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He pursued and received his Bachelor of Science from Southwest Oklahoma State University in mathematics, a Masters degree in mathematics from Emporia State University, and a third degree from the University of New Mexico. He began his career by pursuing his love of working with young people as a teacher. He then began a career working for the Department of Defense at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Herb was an avid hunter, was known to drown a worm or two, played a good game of 42, made an excellent chili soup and, above all, loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a loving husband to his beautiful wife of 68 years, Jimmie Ruth Ferguson. Together they raised a son and two daughters with loving guidance, patience, and a bit of good, old fashioned “because I said so” logic. Throughout his life, Herb never strayed far from his farm roots, always managing to incorporate his love of agriculture into his daily life, eventually retiring to spend his last thirty years of life working his land and raising animals.
Herb is survived by his loving wife, Jimmie Ruth, his son, Jimmy Ferguson and wife Edye of Paris, his daughter, Patricia Higgins and husband Bill of Deport, Texas, and his daughter, Jolene Pickens and husband Rick of Hershey, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his grandchildren Shanna Beshirs and husband Aaron of Powderly, Texas, Amanda Akard and husband Jeff of Paris, Texas, Tamara Kelley and husband Robert of Powderly, Texas, JD Ferguson and wife Brittany of Powderly, Texas, Jordan Ferguson and Justin Ferguson of Paris, Texas, Greg Higgins and wife Amanda of Paris, Texas, Jeff Higgins and wife Kimberlee of Blossom, Texas, Morghan Vaughn and husband Ben of Magnolia, TX, Molly Pickens of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Madeline Frankland and husband Jeremiah of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
He was proceeded in death by seven siblings. Herb has one surviving sister, Lollie Shifflett and husband Duke of Woodward, Oklahoma, a brother-in-law, Edwin Ward of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a sister-in-law, Joyce McBride and husband Carlos of Verden, Oklahoma, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Herb will be lovingly missed and fondly remembered by all. Fortunately, we know we have the promise of being reunited with him in Heaven.
Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 8th, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Dr. Tom Calk & Rev. Tony VanDerWilt officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Shady Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
