Mr. Sidney Ray Ferguson

COLUMBIA Sidney R. Ferguson, age 98, peacefully passed to heaven on Monday, February 9, 2015. No words will adequately express how he will be missed and remembered by those who knew and loved him. Mr. Ferguson was born May 29, 1916, in Evanston, Ill., a son of the late Louis Bangs Ferguson and Ethel Wiley Ferguson. His wife of 63 years, Marion Bowen Ferguson died July 13, 2006. Mr. Ferguson was reared and educated in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from Evanston Township in June 1934, where he was an Eagle Scout. He finished Northwestern University in 1940 on a swimming scholarship. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1941 as a cadet at Corpus Christie and received his pilot wings in April 1942. During World War II, he was a Naval aviator and completed a five year tour of duty. He was associated with the Naval Reserve Program as a Commander and also served as skipper of a Reserve Transport Squadron. He had over 7000 hours of flying time. Mr. Ferguson became affiliated with The United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company in Memphis, Tenn. in May 1947. He was transferred to Columbia S.C. as assistant manager in 1954. He served the company in the capacity of manager from 1955 until he retired in 1981. During his working years, he was a member and director of Columbia Sales Executive Club, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Kiwanis Club, member and director of Touchdown Club, director of Forest Lake Little Boys League Baseball Club, Chairman of the Governing Committee for the Automobile Assigned Risk of South Carolina. He served as chairman of the Service Clubs Camp committee for underprivileged boys. He was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and past president of Forest Lake Club. He was on the board of directors for S.C. Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance. Mr. Ferguson was honored as “Boss of the Year “ by the Columbia Association of Insurance Women for his outstanding contribution to the community welfare as well as the insurance industry. The South Carolina Agents Association recognized Mr. Ferguson for his contributions on behalf of the industry in S.C. by giving him a Lifetime Honorary membership to their association. In addition to being a leader in the insurance industry, Sid Ferguson was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was an avid golfer (had 3 holes in one) and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his friends at the 19th hole. He was an excellent bridge player, gin rummy player and poker player. He enjoyed working in his yard & growing roses. He was an extremely kind and generous man. He is survived by his son, James Bowen Ferguson and wife, Cindy of Charlotte, N.C.; son, John Allan Ferguson and wife, Marguerite of Ridgeway, S.C.; granddaughter, Marguerite Marion Ferguson; two stepgrandsons, Jamie Ford and Brian Sisk; sister-in-law, Carolyn Ferguson Yorde of Naples, Fla. A service for family and friends will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2015, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road. A private interment will be in the Eastminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden. The family will greet friends in the parlor following the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204 or the charity of one’s choice. Many thanks to all the dedicated and loving folks at Atria Forest Lake as well as Lighthouse Hospice Group for all their caring help.