Kris Belford Ferguson

Kristina was born April 21, 1967 in Visalia. She passed into her heavenly Fathers' arms October 22, 2016 with her family by her side. She attended Mt. View, Divisadero, Mt. Whitney, COS and later received her BA degree. Her childhood loves were camping and sports. She got her first horse at 16 and this became her passion for the rest of her life. She trained in English Dressage at DG Bar Ranch and later got into jumping, 3-Day Eventing and she also enjoyed fox hunting.

Kris' professional life began while working for her parents' architectural firm as a Construction Administrator. She decided she wanted to be a State building inspector and studied and worked toward becoming licensed. She soon achieved that goal and became a certified inspector of the Division of the State Architect. for public schools, which she enjoyed doing for 21 years.

Kris married and had 2 wonderful children, Sarah and Matthew, whom she adored. They lived in Paso Robles for 7 years where she did inspecting and project management as well as getting her children into riding horses and motorcycles. In 2010 Kris and the kids moved home to Visalia where she resumed her career inspecting for Visalia Unified, TCOE, Cutler-Orosi, Pleasant View, and the Burton School Districts where she met the love of her life, Wade Ferguson. They were married Dec. 2, 2012. They bought 5 acres which Kris named Equinity Ranch and started creating her dream, their own horse ranch complete with dressage and jumping arenas, paddocks, and a motorcycle track by Matt. Kris and Sarah competed together in 3-Day Eventing and won many ribbons. A new jump, The Kris Belford Memorial Jump, will be dedicated at Fresno County Horse Park in January. Information about this can be found at www.gofundme.com.

Kris was a many-talented woman who decided one day she wanted to paint. She painted beautiful large canvases and then moved on to murals, her largest being a 60' x 30' bear logo. Her favorite subjects were horses. She also created elaborate birthday cakes for her children. Whatever Kris did, she did with determination and enthusiasm. She was a devoted mom. When Sarah started high school at VTEC, the principal asked Kris to help her start a scholarship foundation. Their first fundraiser, Denim & Diamonds, raised over $28,000. A scholarship is being set up in her name.

Family was most important to Kris and she found many ways to share her love with family vacations, shopping and "snuggle-time". Her fun-loving and adventurous spirit will be forever remembered in the hearts of her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband Wade, children Sarah, and Matthew, parents Susan and Rick Mangini, Monroe Self, brother Robert Self, sister Jopha Calanchini and a dear niece, and nephews and many relatives.

A celebration of Kris' Life will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Visalia Christian Reformed Church, 1030 S. Linwood St. in Visalia, CA

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to VTEC High School Scholarship Foundation, 2245 S. Linwood, Visalia, 93277 in Kris' name.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.