John D. Ferguson

John Darrell Ferguson, one of eight children born to the union of the late John Monroe and Evelyn (Shelton) Ferguson, was born September 6, 1930 in Iberia, Missouri. He went home to be with his Lord Monday, September 23, 2013 in the Lake Regional Health System of Osage Beach, Missouri having attained the age of 83 years and 17 days. John graduated from Waynesville High School in 1948 and earned 90 college credits from Kirksville and Springfield. John worked at the National Guard from 1948-1957. He then joined the United States Army in 1957 and served his country faithfully until 1959. After leaving the military, John had many jobs. He worked on an oil rig, owned a pump company, worked for the Painters Union and worked as a hotel clerk for his sister. From 1966 – 1988, John worked as a budget analyst on Fort Leonard Wood and from 1993-2005, he worked for the Camdenton School District as a custodian. On September 17, 1966, John married Wanda Lee Hedrick. They were married in the jail at Carthage, Missouri. They had gone to Oklahoma to get married, but Oklahoma would not accept the marriage license without a three day wait. So they traveled back to Carthage to find a Justice of the Peace. The sheriff found a Baptist minister who married them. A man who was incarcerated stood as their witness. The jest of the story is John loved to tell everyone Wanda was married in jail. In his spare time, John enjoyed boating at the Lake of the Ozarks, playing cards (especially Pinochle) with his brother and sisters, doing crossword puzzles and playing with his great grandchildren. His great grandchildren from Waynesville called him “Papa John”. He was always available to bring them breakfast and lunch whenever they wanted, even when he was ill. As a young man, John made an important decision in his life. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized on January 1, 1958 at the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City. John will be sadly missed by all those that knew and loved him. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife: Wanda Ferguson of Waynesville, MO; three children: Tina Woody and husband Ron of Waynesville, MO, Karan Ramos and husband Arthur of Highland, CA and Steve Hanson of Alta Loma, CA; adopted daughter: Terri Moore and husband Thomas of Waynesville, MO; one brother: Jim Ferguson and wife Lenna; three sisters: Lois Rearrick, Shirley Roberson and Geraldine Wallace; granddaughter: Jennifer Flynt and husband Jeremy of Waynesville, MO; five other grandchildren: Brenna, Jared, Erica, Riley and Melissa; sixteen great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by an infant baby sister: Vivian Keeth; sister: Wanda Nickels; and daughter-in-law: Barbara Hanson. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 27, 2013 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Pastor Larry Richardson officiating. Soloist Thomas Moore sang “Lord I Need You” and Pianist Tara Moore played “In the Garden” and “It Is Well With My Soul”. Serving as escorts were Jeremy Flynt, Kenny Ferguson, Darrell Nickels, Nick Nickels and Thomas Moore. Burial followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville, Missouri.

John D. Ferguson

September 6, 1930 - September 23, 2013