Mr. Donald Paul Ferguson's Obituary
Donald Paul Ferguson, age 86, died on Saturday, May 24, 2014, after a long battle with dementia.
He was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, April 7, 1928, the son of the late George Ferguson and Margaret Hasselquist Ferguson. He grew up in Ottumwa, IA, graduating with the class of 1946. While in high school, he was class president, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and excelled in athletics. He was chosen by the Iowa Daily Press Association to be on the first team in both football and basketball.
He attended Iowa State College where he played both football and basketball and still holds some records. As a Senior, he was inducted into the premier honorary, Cardinal Key, which has recognized outstanding leadership, service, scholarship, and character since 1926.
He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He received a BS degree, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, and married Barbara Bilsten of Spirit Lake, Iowa, all in the same weekend!
In the Marine Corps, he played both football and basketball, serving two and a half years. When he was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant, he returned to Iowa State for a Master's degree.
Upon completion, he took a job as basketball coach in Spencer, IA. After winning the Lakes Conference Championship, he decided to leave coaching and took a job with the Square D Electrical Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He remained with the company for 31 years until his retirement as a Division Personnel Director in 1988. During these years the family lived in Cedar Rapids, IA, Mt. Vernon IA, Peru, IN, and Nashville, TN.
While in Mt. Vernon, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Hall of Fame and served on the school board. His passion was golf and he played in the Senior Olympics.
His brother Charles preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; daughters Connie (Minneapolis, MN), Kim (Madison, TN), Anne (Atlanta, GA); sons Tom and John (Stacy) of Minneapolis; sisters-in-law Kay Ferguson (Omaha, NE) and Nancy Newby (Grand Junction, CO); six grandchildren, Michael (Kerry), Tom, Travis (Katie), Nate, and Paige (all of Minneapolis), Owen (Shoshana) (Milwaukee, WI); three great-grandchildren, Rafaeli, Alex, and Henry.
He will be cremated and a private family service will be held. Burial will be in Madison, TN at the historic Nashville National Cemetery.
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