John E. 'Fergy' Ferguson Jr.
John E. “Fergy” Ferguson Jr., 72, of Butler, formerly of Miami, Fla., passed away very peacefully in his sleep Friday, in the presence of his wife, at the VNA Inpatient Hospice, Butler, after a 22-month struggle with renal cell carcinoma.
Born to the late John E. Ferguson Sr. and Anna Elizabeth (Miller) Whelton Ferguson on March 3, 1940, in McKees Rocks, his family moved to Miami, Fla., when he was 9 years old, where he spent the majority of his life. He moved his family back to this region after Hurricane Andrew destroyed their Miami home in late 1992.
Fergy attended Coral Gables Senior High and served in the U.S. Navy during peacetime. He graduated from George T. Baker Aviation school for aircraft repair as well as the GM factory for mechanical training.
He retired from Sears Automotive at the Clearview Mall, but continued to work part time at Cycle Warehouse, as he loved being surrounded by anything mechanical, either motorcycle or automotive. Fergy had a special love for anything Harley Davidson and he enjoyed a lifetime of riding his Harley. He was a walking encyclopedia and could tell you anything about Harleys.
Fergy recently attended the Community Alliance Church and had accepted Christ as his Savior, thanks to Pastor Denny. Fergy was an animal lover and was always surrounded by a special cat, Pia.
Fergy leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of nearly 24 years, Sherri (Yingling) Ferguson, who he married March 11, 1989; his two sons, John E. Ferguson III and his wife, Melissa, of Homestead, Fla., and Nickolas R. Ferguson, at home; his grandchildren, Dillon Ferguson and Cheyenne Ferguson of Homestead, Fla.; his great-granddaughter, Mia Ferguson of Homestead, Fla.; a nephew, Fred Whelton of Florida; two nieces, Janet Graham Kozan and B.J. Whelton of Florida; his cat, Pia; his two best buddies, Bob Hopson of Virginia Beach, Va., and Jim Green of Butler; as well as numerous friends.
Fergy was loved by all those who met him and will be sadly missed by family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death his half-brother, Fred Whelton.
FERGUSON — Friends of John E. “Fergy” Ferguson Jr., who passed away Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.A benefit spaghetti dinner in Fergy's honor is planned for Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Rock House Grill and Bar, 2560 William Flynn Highway, Butler.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
