Dr. Alan Lee Ferguson

He was born in Birmingham on April 17, 1947, to Eula Christine (Chris) Sawyer Ferguson and James Dalton (JD) Ferguson. Lee spent his younger years in the Ensley area. A family move took him to the Hollywood area of Homewood where he attended Shades Cahaba Elementary, Homewood Junior High School and Shades Valley High School, graduating in the Class of 1965. He dabbled in a few sports growing up but wrestling became his high school specialty.

Lee assisted his father with filming the University of Alabama football team on game days during high school and college. He enjoyed being in the press box and had a number of interesting stories to tell from the experience. The Greek life called him to membership in Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon.

He received his B.S. of Chemistry in 1969 from the University of Alabama and his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) from the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry in 1975. During his time in dental school, he was selected to be a member of a group called the Super Eight, which allowed a small group of dental students to begin treating patients earlier in their education.

Following dental school, Lee served 3 years in the U.S. Air Force as a general dental officer with the rank of Captain at Edwards Air Force Base. After his service, he worked in Public Health Dentistry for 2 years, then established his private family practice in Homewood, Alabama and retired in 2023 after 50 years of practice. While practicing, he served in the Alabama Army National Guard as an M48 A2C Crewman for 6 years where he drove tanks in military exercises, acquiring entertaining stories along the way.

Lee was dedicated to organized dentistry, serving in numerous positions within the local, state and national dental community. Some of those included the Birmingham District Dental Society, Alabama Dental Association (ALDA), Alternate Delegate –American Dental Association, a Trustee and the Speaker of the House of Delegates-ALDA, Fellow in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. He was awarded as a Most Excellent Fellow-ALDA and Dentist of the Year-Birmingham District Dental Society in 2008. ALDA granted him Gold Certificate Membership in 2025 for recognition of his 50 years of dental service.

Golf was a favorite pastime of Lee’s, as well as riding his Harley with friends on the back roads, tinkering on projects around the house, and Crimson Tide football. Many evenings he could be heard playing jazz on the piano, tapping his foot on the floor to the beat. He enjoyed listening to a good dueling pianos event! Lee was very proud of his three children and loved watching them grow up into the accomplished adults they are today. He also loved to tell a good story, and he had some great ones. Those story-telling sessions and the laughter that followed will be greatly missed.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents and step-parents, JD Ferguson- Martha Joiner Ferguson, Richard E Vick-Chris Sawyer Vick.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Elizabeth; his children Alan (Caitlin) Ferguson, Dalton (John) Marshall, Lauren (Kyle) Alligood; grandchildren Clay and Aiden; sister, Lynn Ferguson; step-sister Rebecca (Eric) Turner; step-nephew Brett Fairley; step-niece Elizabeth (Steve) Bromley and their two sons; family members of Richard E. Vick.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and technicians at UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital, Brookdale Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, and Lipford Home Care for the compassion and care they provided.

A family graveside service will be held on March 15 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery. A memorial service will be held March 16 at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church in the chapel. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and the service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vestavia Hills Methodist Church or to The Lovelady Center Dental Clinic: The Lovelady Center, Atten: Development, 7916 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35206, marked for Lee Ferguson/dental, or Loveladycenter.org/donations marked in memory of Dr. Lee Ferguson.