Farris Dow Ferguson Jr.

Farris Dow Ferguson, Jr., was born in Chico, California on June 16, 1943. He went to be with The Lord on May 18, 2024 after a lengthy hospitalization for Covid-19, a Pulmonary Embolism and Critical Illness Polyneuropathy and Myopathy.

Dow earned a bachelor's degree in music (classical guitar performance) from California State University, Fresno and went on to serve in the United States military, performing with the 8th U.S. Army band, the 6th U.S. Army band, the 2nd Infantry Division U.S. Army Band, and the 2nd Armored Division U.S. Army Band. After his military service, Dow was co-owner of Mr. Clean janitorial service in Harker Heights, Texas. Later, Dow worked overseas as a civilian contractor for Kellogg, Brown and Root in Iraq following the Gulf War. After this, Dow became a professional luthier, and was the owner-operator of The Lutherie, a string-instrument repair shop in Central Texas. Dow also was a guitar instructor for twelve years at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's Conservatory of Music in Belton, Texas, where he taught popular and classical guitar. For many seasons, Dow sang in the choral group Central Texas Master Singers/Vineyard Voice and played timpani at their holiday concerts. Dow performed as a member of the Cloverlea Guitar Quartet at various venues in Central Texas, as well. Additionally, he performed live gigs at The Strawberry Patch restaurant in Salado, Texas, where he played guitar and sang. Throughout his life, Dow was actively involved with music ministry duties at the churches he attended, most recently at Transformation Community Church (Baptist) in Temple, Texas.

Dow was preceded in death by his parents, Farris Dow Ferguson, Sr., of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Mildred Blackman Ferguson of Hackett, Arkansas, and two sisters, Linda Ferguson and Frances Rivera.

Dow is survived by siblings Richard Ferguson of San Luis Obispo, California, and Patricia Nettles of Boise, Idaho, and his children Eric Ferguson of Temple, Texas, Matthew Ferguson of Visalia, California, and Jill Ferguson-Cerda of Visalia, California. Dow is survived also by five grandchildren: John Whetstone, Jr., Jedediah Whetstone, Kegan Campise, Job Whetstone and Jennie Whetstone. Dow is survived by ten nieces and nephews, as well: Alan Nettles, Melinda Flynn, Leanna Blackmon, Juli Platzer, Nanette Finn, Amanda Harmon, Patrick Ferguson, Aimee Edmonds, Benjamin Ferguson and Sara Gallon.

Memorial services will be held Saturday June 15, 2024 at 4:30 pm at Transformation Community Church at 718 S 5th St., Temple, Texas 76501. Pastor Carl Love will be officiating. Doors to the church will be open at 4:00 pm. A meal will be served after the service. Please RSVP at (254) 760-3852.