I had no idea ... I hadn't heard.  John was a great friend.  It was great seeing him at our 50th hs reunion.  I'd seen him at a function in Plano about 15 years ago and he was a picture of health.  God blessed you, John,and God bless your family.  I'll see you soon.  Dick Barron (Ft. Worth)

One of the most valuable lessons Daddy taught me was in the last several weeks of his life.  I was eating supper with him and Mama, and Daddy was blessing the food before we ate.  In his prayer he gave thanks for the food, then began thanking God for specific blessings in his life  for his family, for his friends, for everyone who had provided meals and given their time and resources to and for him.  He prayed God's blessings be upon everyone who had blessed our family during the previous 4-5 months, and upon the caregivers that had taken care of him, and upon their families.

Then he prayed Philippians 4:4:  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.  He repeated the word rejoice with loud emphasis 3-4 times.  Then ended his prayer asking the Father to increase his joy.

One of Daddy's favorite songs starts with these words: There is joy in the Lord, put your sadness away, set your heart on Me.  Well Daddy was certainly not bitter and angry and upset.  Here was a man  in extreme pain and sickness  with a thankful heart, praying for others, and rejoicing in the Lord.  Daddy has always taught us (his family) to be thankful.  While listening to his prayer that evening I learned that it was possible to give thanks in everything, and even in the darkest hours of life our spirit can rejoice in the Lord.

I miss him terribly, but am thankful for his life and for the example he set as a father, husband, friend, business man, and servant of God.

Daddy, I miss you every day.  You taught me I could be anything I wanted to be.  You taught me if I was faithful in little, I could be faithful in much.  You demonstrated what hard work and commitment would  get me.  You Walked the walk and didn't just talk the talk.  Because of YOU, I am who I am today.  I strive to be as good of parent to my 3 kids as you were to me.  I love you forever.

When I lay my body down, I want it to be by Papa John. Zoe, age 5

My deepest sympathy but wow to see Jesus and the Father!

Our prayers are with you Carol, he was a true Christian.

 My prayers are with the family. He was a wonderful man and servant of the Lord. He will be missed.

Shortly after midnight June 11 my beloved went to be with Jesus. No more pain.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants. 
Psalm 116:15 (NIV)

Just got a message this morning that my wonderful uncle john passed away from cancer he was a wonderful and dear man with a great heart he will be dearly missed my thaughts and prayers go out to his wonderful wife Carol

so sorry for your loss. Heaven is rejoicing! Praying for peace in the coming days.

Carol, some of my favorite childhood memories include John - I am so blessed to have grown up with him in my life. He was so kind and gentle and playing at your house was so much fun because he always had some fun story, joke, or activity for us! I am sorry to hear of his passing and grieve with your family.

Carol Ann and family, Guy and I were so sorry to read about John's passing. He is at peace now and with God. We love you.

Sending our prayers for peace and comfort to you and all your family Carol. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Carol and family. Our prayers are with you in your sorrow and your rejoicing that the Lord has had mercy on John. John was a very special person and Wally and I have been honored to call him friend.

Carol, my prayers are with you and your family. John was loved by so many and will be greatly missed. Our loss but Heaven's gain. Read Psalm 23 out loud. Hopefully you will be comforted. I love you.

Carol and the family, we are so sorry for your loss--for all our loss. We're saddened and rejoicing all at the same time. We're sad because we've lost a very dear friend, a man of true integrity, whom we'll miss very much. And we're rejoicing because John is now with his Lord and Savior, whom he loved, and will never again suffer any pain. I believe he's experiencing that "great party" that he said he saw a week ago. Hallelujah!!! We're still praying for all of you. We love you.

 Carol, I am so sorry for your loss and this difficult path you have traveled, yet I am happy with you for God's peace and comfort in knowing that John is free and in Heaven's Glory with Jesus. With love.

Many thoughts and prayers are with you Carol. I know it is a difficult time, but your faith will help you in the coming days, weeks and years until once again you are together in Heaven.

Our heart goes out to you. We are right across the street of you need anything

My many prayers are with you and your family. I lost my father at the same age in the same way. I know the grief and suffering that accompanies the death of someone so precious. May God wrap you all tightly in His arms and ease the pain. I am so very sorry.

Carol you have been in my thoughts every day and I was there in spirit with you for the visitation and celebration of John's incredible life this morning. I know it must have been an awesome service. I will call you soon but want to give you a few days first. Much love to my friend and keep the beautiful smile God gave you that John loved so much.

Carol, I am sorry that I cannot be with you at the visitation and service. I am praying for you, and I know you will be covered by God's grace. I am thankful for my memories of you and John.

God is with you Carol. We love you and your great family. It is a privilege to be your sister-in-law.

I know where John is today, and I was privileged to see him enter there. I saw the pain leave his sweet face and a look of joy replace it. All praise to the Father and Son who died to give us eternal life and who rose from the dead to go and prepare the place for us and John in particular who has received that place now.

Today I picked up John's Bible that he taught from and found a note sticking out which turned out to be a love note for me. He said to read this passage: Psalm 71:14-15. It was just what I needed to be reminded of. It reads:
But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. (Psalm 71:14-15 ESV)
God is instructing me...

 Thinking of you Carol. I know you miss him. Hang on to all the wonderful memories and your God connection.

What a blessing that confidence in eternal life is! Thinking of you and praying! We enjoyed speaking with you at the service, and thought it was very beautiful and honoring of a Godly man. We have some wonderful memories of you and John!

The Lord who watches over you neither slumbers nor sleeps.

Love you,
Sharon

Carol Ann I am so sorry for the loss of John. I have been off Facebook for a while. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Love Zane and Virginia

Carol, we are so sorry for your loss and have been praying for you and your whole family. You and John have been such a wonderful blessing to me all these years. I appreciate how both of you have been such an example of the Lord's grace and kindness. I know that He will lead you every step of the way and lift you up. You and John are such an inspiration to us all of what it means to live for Christ and love one's family. I am blessed to have known you and am so thankful that you have been such longtime good friends to my parents Jim and Jan Harrison. We pray for the Lord's grace and peace to comfort you and strengthen you each day. We love you, Christen (Harrison) Caton and Chris Caton

My only brother in law is the greatest.
John has always been the best one I could ever have.  Mom and dad had the best things to say about him too. Even when we went into business awhile back in Arlington we connected daily.  We still remained best of friends.  Carol Ann was lucky to have him as her husband as well as the kids to have him as their father.
Jimmy

Like just about all teenagers, I thought that most things Dad did was wrong. 

That started to change in 1988 with a pair of shorts.  As kids, I thought it wrong that Dad always wore shorts over his bathing suit whenever we went to the lake, or the neighborhood pool. It was weird, didn't make any sense, and proof that he didn't know what he was doing. 

In 1988, Melissa's boyfriend had a ski boat.  One day my girlfriend and I were going to go spend the day on the lake with them.  As I was getting dressed, I realized I didn't have any pockets in my swim trunks for keys, billfold, and whatever else I was carrying.  So I pulled on a pair of shorts - and suddenly realized that maybe Dad was on to something...that perhaps he knew what he was doing.  One the drive to the lake, I spent time asking myself what else I could learn from Dad. 

Six years later, I got married and became a stepfather to three kids.  And for almost 21 years now, I have tried to be the best husband and Dad I could be - guided by the example Dad set for me.  Because Dad knew what he was doing, and I knew I could learn from his example as a husband and Father.  

Today was a tough Father's Day for me, but knowing I'm following his example as a Dad keeps him alive in my heart.

My dad was the most gracious, forgiving, loving, and God-fearing man I have ever know.  I am so blessed to call him Dad.  I hope to instill the same love of the Lord in my own kids, as he did with each of his own.  Today, he is joyfully spending his first Father's Day in heaven with his Heavenly Father and his earthly father as well.  Although we miss him so much, we are comforted in knowing we will absolutely without a doubt see him once again.  

Mom, we love you.  You can do this.  Perhaps strength doesn't reside in having never been broken, but in the courage required to pick up the broken pieces.

I was talking with John's younger brother Bear at the memorial service Monday and we remembered  lighting candles at your and John's wedding in 1965. To think that was 50 years ago. I used to pester you and John in our back yard while you and he were star gazing on a blanket (I was 12). 

I remember so many things about him, mainly his kindness in inviting me and Robin to your church picnic in 1977 when our marriage was in trouble. John reached out to me and led me through the scriptures in Romans showing me my lost condition. The Holy Spirit convicted us that night or our need for a Saviour and that night we asked Jesus to save us. 

That night on June 5, 1977 marked the turning point of our lives - now we've been married 42 years and love Jesus.

Thank you Carol Ann for sharing your lives with us. 

John is surely missed here but Heaven is richer.

Randy Rogers

Carol our thoughts and prayers are with you, we meet you and your husband last year at my brothers wedding but you have known and been good friends with my parents for over 30 years. Your husband was such an awesome man of God and know we are praying for you and your whole family too. God is in control
Much love and prayers Faithful and Clifford ( Apphia's daughter )

Carol, I have to make another entry to this book.  We attended the funeral and somehow ended up in the Fireside room with the family (that's where the usher told us to go) and we got to be with you all and join in prayer as the minister prayed. Because we were in that room we didn't get to see John one more time and I regretted that but God is in everything, and maybe He wants us to remember the vibrant, intelligent, quick witted, loving man who saw us every year, always sharing with Word of God with us and enjoying a cup of coffee after his long drive to Forney. We will truly miss him. We know that Mr. Oberst will take care of us.  He thinks so highly of John too.  Rev. Don and Kathy McKay

Carol, I always looked forward to hearing John teach. One night over 20 years ago in your home I heard him teach on the feeding of the 5000. He underscored that as a disciple of Jesus as we serve others we will be provided for with an over abundance:  case in point: there were enough leftovers for each disciple to go home with his own basketful. Rest assured that as God's precious disciple and servant, you will always have an abundance.

Carol, I'll never forget that day on June 5, 1977 when you and John had Randy and I over and John led us through the Scriptures to a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ...we love you and John and our nieces and nephew. Thank you all for your faithfulness to the Lord and your example of life lived for Him. Randy and I will continue to make mention of you all in our prayers as we give thanks to God for you always...we love you, I love you.

Carol we just want to say how truly sorry we are!!  We loved John and we know he loved us. 
God's love in him was so precious!! We are rejoicing with him as we know he is celebrating with his Lord and Savior and is no longer in pain!! Hallelujah!!!  Love and Blessings to you.  We love you!! Larry and Carolyn

John was always a blessing to us.  God's love in him was always flowing out to us and others.  He was truly an awesome man of God!!!  We will always remember the good times we all had together and the wonderful bible studies he led us in.  We will sure miss him!!  We love you Carol and will always be here for you!!  May God's love, peace and comfort be with you always!!

Carol,

Words seem so inadequate right now.  As you know, John was admired and loved by many friends.  So many of John's high school classmates respected and loved him.  John was especially dear to me.  He was my date to the Junior/Senior Prom and he was always my special friend.  The SFA Class of 1963 will forever remember John as an integral part of our class.  He will always be fondly remembered.  Our hearts are hurting for you.  Love and prayers, Keith

Carol and family, I always had a great deal of respect for John as an elder and teacher. Then one day in my time of need he gave me a hug and told me that it gets easier with time. That day I saw him a different light, he was a caring friend. I'll miss him. I love you all!

As we pass through life we find some gems along the way. One of those gems for me is a memory of the fantastic smile that John always wore. I can still see that smile from our high school days. It is as clear as if it were yesterday. RIP, good man.  Charles Scherbel

Dear Carol and family,
  So sorry for your loss. John was a great guy and friend from our high school days at SFA in Bryan. Praying for you and your family. Love, Cynthia Noto Hague

And now we start a new journey.  We will so miss John.  The passion John showed about Christ was a inspiration to everyone, no matter how long they have had been a Christian.  We loved how he loved his family and showed love to everyone around him.  We are so glad we had the opportunity to know him even though it wasn't enough time.  Sweet Carol, you will be surprised how strong you will be, I know this because you have a lot of people praying for you.  To loose a beloved father is so difficult as I know John was the cornerstone of their lives, however, they will grow stronger as they learn more and more the love our Father, the Father that gives us wisdom beyond knowledge.  What we can say about John is the best of what we would want anyone to say about ourselves.

While almost every one reading this had the opportunity of knowing John , I had the privelage of having him as my grandpa. I have never met anybody who was more committed to God and it often helps me to strive for such excellence. As we sit here and grieve for his loss, he is saying hello to Heaven, I'm sure. Papa John sure did leave his mark on this world. And I have no doubt that he faithfully served the lord. My grandpa was the funniest, sweetest. icecream- loving man you'll ever meet. I remember once he thought he needed to lose some weight and the biggest struggle of his was to give up his much needed bowl of ice cream. Papa John was surely blessed with one great life and made my life so much better. I love you Papa John

John and Carol since you became our friends 1984 when we were foreign students at CFNI.
We thank you for your love and support  to date. 
Our friendship grow so strong. 
John we will continue our friendship with your precious  family. 
John you fought  a good fight of Faith you have finished your course. 
We already miss you.

Having known John for more than 35 years, we can honestly say that he was a fine Christian man, a man of integrity, and a wonderful husband, dad and granddad.  It is our honor to have counted him as our friend.  We will always remember all the good times we had with him and his family and, in the later years, just going out to eat with him and Carol.  On these occasions, John was always eager to share what new revelation God had been giving him.  He loved sharing God's Word with others.  His passion to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the many hours of preparation and dedication that he would put into his Sunday School teachings each week was impressive.  His Prestonwood class is very blessed to have had him as their teacher.   

We will certainly miss him and our good times together, but we rejoice that he is now in Heaven with his Lord and Saviorand PAIN FREE!!!

Dear Holly, Knowing your dad was a blessing for us.  
Remembering you and family in our prayers. (Terri Lynn Przybylinski is my daughter)
Love from Milwaukee, Wis.
Paul and Dolores Ferri

John could not have been a nicer man - always friendly, positive and gracious.  All of us who knew him will miss him.

Carol--John was so special to Claudia and I - we loved him, and so admired him.  Our love to you, and yours.

I was deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, customer and financial advisor...John, you will be missed by all that came in contact with you.  My heart goes out to the family...God got Him a good one...

Mrs.Carol,
It is 9:43pm as i type this. You text me this morning about Johns day to go be with our LORD, my  heart shutters. As i think about the memories me & Mr. Furgeson had all i can do is smile. My mind is thinking about the laughter we shared when i would take care of him. I thank God for allowing our paths to cross. When me & Mr.Ferguson would share scriptures he would always point to JESUS. I can see him now saying "Keep your eyes on JESUS ". He gave me a book he wrote that focuses on Matthew, Mark, Luke,  & John. I never seen it broke down the way he put it.  It was easy for me to understand, i will treasure this with my heart.  He was a True man of God,  & i know ABSENCE FROM THE BODY IS PRESENT WITH THE LORD.  I pray for comfort & strength in JESUS NAME

Carol, when I started attending our Sunday School class and doing my brief time of coffee service, one of my favorite things was to have John's hot cup of black coffee waiting for him the moment he came in the room.  It was our chance to chat and get him powered up for another wonderful lesson.  Better still, though, were my visits with him during these last few months on a couple of Wednesday evenings when you went to choir.  Every conversation was an opportunity to learn something from John about HEARING God's Word.  I will always remember sharing the Lord's Supper with you & John one evening.  Hopefully, your many wonderful memories will be a comfort in the times ahead.

Dear Holly,

Will try to call you later, but have been thinking about you ever since early morning when we saw your post on facebook about your Dad making his transition.  So sorry for your loss, as I know you adored him.  He was a special person for sure.  I know he was always there for you.  I feel for your Mom a lot, as being together that long leaves a big hole in your heart and your life.  I know you will all feel the loss for a long time.  I think he touched a lot of people in his lifetime.  

Sorry Holly, found this in my drafts.  Guess it didn't even go through.  Going to bed, will try to make contact tomorrow.  Just know we are all thinking of you and your family.  It is a tough time for sure.  I do have something to share with you when we talk.  My heart is with you always.

Love you,

Lou

John was board chair of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce the year I was chair of the Ambassador committee; we worked closely to improve communication and move that program forward in different ways. He was a creative thinker, and a big help in that endeavor. 

Even more important to me was the revelation that John was the go to person for everyone who knew him. That was important to him as it was his wish to be of as much help as he could be to one and all...our center of influence.

A truly remarkable man whose friendship, giving ways and sense of humor will be remembered forever.

Missy and the whole family... Sending big tight hugs to you all.  Praying for strength, comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding.  I met John only twice but the moment I met him, I could see and feel what a good Godly man he was.  Heaven is surely celebrating his arrival.  Love to you all.

Carol, Brooke, and the rest of the family...I know you hearts are heavy this morning as you try to rejoice in the good news that John is in the most perfect place, but it's not here with you.  May the Holy Spirit surround you, hold you close, and lift you up today and in all the hard days and nights to follow.

Carol, you and John had a wonderful love story and have  a beautiful family!! You and John shared something very special!    It seems like yesterday being in your wedding. What fun at our high school reunions. John was always a good sport listening to us all talk.  You are in my prayers, and you have incredible strength through the Lord. Love you, Caren

Dear Carol, Holly and all the family,
Only Holly knows us, but we want to say how much John meant to us for many years.  We trusted him totally with our investments and it was a shock to read the email that he had gone on to be with the Lord.  I didn't expect that at all.  He had such a trust in Jesus Christ and we shared together every time we had a meeting with him.  He was an extraordinary man and it is an honor to have known him. If only we could have talked to him one more time but we will see him and you at the funeral.  Rev. Don and Kathleen McKay, Forney, Texas

Carol Anne you have my thoughts and prayers.  And know that anyone who loved M&M's had a good life among all the rest.   Peace.  Kenneth Mounce (Hearne, Tx) Cedar Hill, Texas.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ferguson family.  Among his many fine qualities, John was a leader in his community, having served as North Dallas Chamber chairman, a stalwart at his beloved church and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He was my rock in my darkest hour, and Ken and I will be forever grateful for his wisdom and counsel.  While his many friends mourn his passing, we rejoice that he has found eternal peace and salvation.  May we all aspire to such greatness.

Kind, strong, gentle, loving, giving, courageous, wise, great sense of purpose and humor, loyal, steady, dedicated, forgiving and a wonderful man in every way.  The world needs more men like John, he will be greatly missed by everyone he met, walked with and loved.

"Dad" moment memory to share.......We were at the hospital that Tuesday morning, in October 2006, about to install my mediport for chemo.  Hubby was  out of town that morning and unable to be there for me so he asked his Dad and Mom if they could assist me.  Staff put the brakes on when they realized I needed a baseline EKG before surgery, sending me across the hospital to the cardiac lab.  Papa John jumped up and said lets go Reba, while Grammy waited in the lobby for us to return.  While on that long, unexpected walk, he said to me while putting his arm around my shoulder, "I know I'm not your father, but if you'll let me, I'll help you with whatever you would have needed from your father."  I shook my head yes to him and we hugged as tears were suddenly streaming down my face.....and his.  My burden of stress in my cancer journey was instantly relieved by my new "Dad".  Rest in Peace, Papa John.  You will be forever missed.

John was the greatest Bible teacher I have ever known over many decades and geographical locations. Why, dear God, did you take him so soon when we needed him so dearly? He loved Your Word because he loved You. Please comfort Carol and all the family, both biologically and Spiritually.

I will miss John's presence in our lives here at work.  Though we didn't talk or see each other daily, we were always met with a smile, a principled opinion, and his contagious laugh when we connected.  I will forever be inspired by his passion for the Lord and the goodness of his heart.  I will miss his physical presence but know he continues to do God's work in spirit.  God Bless...

Holly, I am so sorry about your dad's passing.  He was a wonderful man I feel very honored to have know.  God bless you all.

Carol,
So sorry for the loss you all feel now. Praise God that John's journey of pain and anguish is over and he's dancing and celebrating with Jesus now. Praying for you as you heal and look forward to singing with you again when you come back to choir!
Love you!

Hi Carol,

I'm flipping through my Bible this morning.  I stop every now and then to visit the highlights and circles and exclamation points and notes in the margin in so many places where John illuminated something in a particular passage that I'd never seen before.  

One of the early "wow" lessons came when John was doing some Old Testament prophet teaching and cruised through Habakkuk one Sunday morning.  I forget the context of the whole lesson, but John stopped to talk about chapter 2:1 where Habakkuk said, "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am reproved."  According to the note I jotted down, John said that this is the only appropriate posture for a Christian to have after telling God the needs of our heart.

Habakkuk goes on to record the Lord's answer to his prayer.  The Lord said, "for the vision (the answer to your prayer) is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come; it will not tarry."  John went on to say that this "waiting" is impossible for us to do in our 'human mindset', but John said that v. 4's call for the "just who live by faith" does make it possible for us to do this.  And in the margin I have John's comment that this only can be possible if we study and hear the Word.  

John could do so many things in life, survive so many things and ultimately triumph because he followed hard after the Word and heard it.  I am forever changed because he lived it out in front of us each week.  

You are the "just who live by faith", too, just as John still is today.  It's been a long, dark and heart crushing time and, honestly, that doesn't stop just because John is finally free from pain and suffering.  The days ahead are still heavy.  John painted a picture of Habakkuk out there pacing back and forth on the wall, expectantly watching and waiting for God.  If we can just get up each day and climb up to wait for the vision that will come, we've done our part.  God will do the rest.  It all may look like the most unimaginable and catastrophic mess, but it will not always be so.  

I am grateful to have known John and so blessed to be your friend.

Love,

Sharon Watson

My sincere condolences for your loss.  Even though John has gone home to be with our Lord, his physical presence will be missed so much by so many people.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

A Farewell to My Good Friend, John Ferguson

Lord, mighty God,
I believe with my whole heart and mind
That You are making all things great and small.
I know that You are greater far
Than all the galaxies,
More powerful than a million suns, and yet
I know that as the single sun
Holds all the planets in their flying orbits,
Holding the earth,
The same sun ripens each little bunch of grapes
As though it had no other task to do.

So it stands, my mighty Lord,
Between You and John.
You busily raise life from inert earth;
You are creating now
Millions of women and men  
And yet  You know him and care for him
As though he were your sole concern.

I thank You that I believe like this,
And I beg You that John's faith and hope,
Through Your grace,
Will earn him a close awareness of your daily presence
And an eternity with You
Who are Lord forever and ever.
Amen.

Carol my thoughts and prayers are with you, your children that you and John raised in such a loving and Christian home and your grandchildren.  John led an amazing life that touched so many people and he will surely be missed here on earth, but he is now pain free and in a very special place with our Heavenly Father.  May God watch over you and your family and help you find peace knowing John is in Heaven also watching over you.

John, or should I say Dad Dad which is what I called him. I have so many fond memories of my time spent at the Ferguson house hold. I remember formal dinners with Dad Dad at the head of the table with some sort of special announcement. I remember how all the kids had to line up their report cards on the kitchen counter (of course they were all A's).  I remember he always gave such great advice. I feel honored and blessed to have know John Ferguson, Dad Dad!  You will be greatly missed!

The Clark family has been impacted by John's life on many levels including family vacation, home Bible studies, meals (including ice cream of course),business clients and attending churches together for years. I benefited personally from his wisdom, spiritual  revelation and availability. I am not surprised to learn of his generosity, but of course never heard of it until now. I'm honored to be just one of his many friends.

 A fitting tribute for a truly loving family man. As Zoe said, he is home with The Lord. I am sorry for the loss that you all are feeling right now, but try to remember all the good times that you had with John and take comfort in knowing that his sufferings here on earth are finally over. May he rest in peace and may God give him a special place in heaven and may God help all of you get thru this difficult time. Pat and I wish that our situation would have allowed us to be out there with you, but know that we are there in spirit.

Pat & Joe Grall

OBITUARY

John Franklin Ferguson

December 25, 1944 – June 11, 2015

Grove Hill Memorial Park

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