Obituary of O.W. Ferguson

O. W. Ferguson, 83, went to be with his Lord on Monday January 12, 2015 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. He was born July 26, 1931 in Sullivan County, TN. O.W. graduated from Sullivan High School in 1950 where he was active in sports having played on the school's first football team for three years. He also was on the baseball team where he was the starting pitcher earning a tryout from the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served in the Korean War. He also served in the reserves with the United States Air Force. He retired from Tennessee Eastman Company where he worked in the accounting department. He loved to work in his garden and also doing lawn work, and especially was an avid UT fan. Mr. Ferguson was a member of the Lynn Garden Optimist Club since 1965. At the Club Level he proudly served as Distinguished President, Vice President, Youth Appreciation Chair, Bike Safety, Fund Raising Chair, Christmas Tree Chair, Pancake Breakfast Chair, along with having served as Secretary/Treasurer since 1980. District offices he had held were International Development, Distinguished Lt. Governor (4 years), Bike Chair, Candidate Qualifications, Credentials and Zone Realignment, Optimist Supplies, International Ambassador. The International Offices he had held were New Club Building, he built three clubs he was so proud of: Indian Springs (twice) and Sullivan Gardens, others were in Big Stone Gap and Weber City, VA. He was awarded the Sunshine Welch three different occasions. He currently sponsored well over 200 members. He was named Optimist of the Year for eight years. He received the Optimist President Citation Award multiple times. O.W. Ferguson was elected to The Tennessee District of Optimist International Hall of Fame in 2004. His highlighted accomplishments were serving as a Sullivan County Magistrate, Sullivan Court Commission, and Sullivan County Commissioner for a total of 39 years, twenty-two of those years were as chairman of Pro Tem. He was very active with youth baseball in all divisions which were Babe Ruth, Pee Wee and Midget. He coached grade school football at Bell Ridge Grade School. He was a very active member of State Line Baptist Church where he served as deacon for 46 years and held the title of longest serving Chairman of the Deacon Board. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter J and Jessie Fink Ferguson; brother, Thomas Eugene Ferguson. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jean Wolfe Ferguson; daughters, Linda K. Smith and Rhonda S. Martin and husband Tracy; two granddaughters, Jessica Smith Scantlin and Ashley Templeton Payne and husband Jeff; one grandson, Tyler Templeton; "special granddaughter", Vestal Holder; sister-in- law, Arlene Ferguson; special friend and neighbor, Earl Matlock; and someone who was like a brother, Claude Smith. The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 7 pm Thursday, January 15, 2015 at State Line Baptist Church, (West Carters Valley Road) or anytime at the residence. A service will follow promptly at 7 pm with Pastor Boyd Holder, Bishop Hagen Webb, Pastor Randall Spivey, Pastor Tony Gonzalez officiating. Music will be provided by Rev. Boyd Holder and wife, Sharon Holder, and Ashley Payne. Military graveside services will be held at 1 pm on Friday January 16, 2015 by American Legion Post # 3 and Post # 265 at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Tyler Templeton, Claude Smith, Rick Templeton, George Gibson, Jeff Payne, Jim Carter, Gordon Hood. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, Jessica Smith Scantlin and Ashley Payne, members of the Lynn Garden Optimist Club, Sullivan County Commissioners past/present, Wayne Morelock, Buddy Osborne, Truman Ferguson, Rick Wolfe, and Tommy Holder. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. David Franzus, Dr. Edwin McElroy, Dr. David Osterhus, Wellmont Hospice, Brianna Rochester, Christel Starnes along with nurses, PCT's, and caregivers, for the special care given during his illness. Memorial contributions may be made to State Line Baptist Church Building Fund, 310 West Carters Valley Road, Kingsport, TN 37665, American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Suite 102, Johnson City, TB 37601 or The Bridge Home, No Kill Animal Rescue, 613 Foothills Road, Kingsport, TN 37663. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Ferguson family.