John Bryan Ferguson, 73, of Kimball, Nebraska passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025 in Cheyenne, Wyoming surrounded by loved ones. A funeral and Masonic service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball, Nebraska on October 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Warren Cico officiating. Burial will follow in the Kimball Cemetery. Viewing will be held at the church on Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit www.cantrellfh.com to view John’s Tribute Wall and share stories and condolences with the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John Ferguson may be made to The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, The Nebraska Masonic Home, or The Nebraska Eastern Star Home for Children. The services for John have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
He was born January 31, 1952 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to John E. “Gene” and Jean Loy “Joy” Ferguson.
John grew up on the family farm west of Kimball and attended District 5 School through eighth grade before graduating from Kimball County High School in 1970. He went on to attend Chadron State College. Early in his career, he worked with Missouri Valley Construction Company, helping to complete the Nebraska section of Interstate 80. In 1977, he moved to Missoula, Montana where he drove truck for a lumber company before joining Pancho Avila at Z&S Construction doing roustabout work.
John later began his freight-hauling career with Consolidated Freightways (CF), where he joined the Teamsters Union. In 1988, he started with Arkansas Best Freight (ABF), where he received the 3 MillionMile Award without a single driving accident. He retired in 2009.
In 1989, John married Elizabeth Jane Eatmon in Kimball, where together they raised their family. In his free time John enjoyed taking fishing trips to Canada; he was an accomplished woodworker, and firearm enthusiast. Second only to his love of family was his deep devotion to the Craft of Freemasonry.
John was initiated, passed, and raised in Kimball Lodge, later renamed James L. Eatmon Lodge No. 294, where he served as Worshipful Master. In 2024, he was honored to serve as Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska. His Masonic affiliations included the Scottish Rite, where he received the 33°, as well as the Shriners, York Rite Bodies, Royal Order of Scotland, and National Sojourners (Honorary). He also received several honors from Masonic youth organizations, including the DeMolay Legion of Honor and the Rainbow Grand Cross of Color.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John E. and Jean Loy Ferguson, and his son, Andy “Toph” Ferguson. He is survived by his wife, Liz E. Ferguson; his children, Matthew of Oklahoma, Ashley of Kimball, Kelli (William Remien) of Idaho, and James Henry (Stephanie) of Virgina. As well as his grandchildren, Tyler, Ryane, Connor, Hatcher, Briley, Marilou, and Sophie. He is also survived by his brothers, Dan (Terry) and Kerry (Jeri).
