"John" as he was known was preceded in death by his Daughter Jana Michelle Ferguson.  Surviving family members include his wife of 51 years, Marla Joanne Perry Ferguson and one sibling Kathy D. Ferguson Payne, sisters-in-law Pamela Littrell and Marsha Perry, including many nieces and nephews.

His early career included working as a molder for Terre Haute Malleable Foundry until they closed. Worked in the field of fire extinguishers and fire equipment with C.F. Fire Equipment in Orlando, Florida; Legion Fire Equipment of Terre Haute, Indiana; Manager of Sycamore Safety Mine, Mill, and Fire Equipment, and CW Process Chemicals where he advanced from Sales and Collections to the Owner of the Company, from the position John retired in 2005 at age 62.

Interests included art photography where two of his most memorable vacations were spent in New York City at his art photography exhibits. 2007 and 2010 with his wife visiting and enjoying Central Park in a Pedi-Cab with a guide named Emir from Istanbul.

During 1972 Youth Football League, John coached with Bud Spear and Calvin Slatter, the Dairy Queen Raiders to an eight win no loss country championship. In 1985 John managed a Terre Haute Women's Amateur Softball Team, the Merchants National Bank Team to a City Title, County Title, and ultimately the 1985 Indiana State Championship trophy.

His photography has a permanent place with the Indiana Historical Society's photograph collections with an image titled: Noble Tall and Slim; For the pets and politics contest that connected Governor Noah Noble to Trooper an Irish Wolfhound.  Senator Oliver Smith described Governor Noble as being tall and slim which also describes Irish Wolfhounds as they are noble, tall, and slim!

Cremation was entrusted to Samaritan Funeral Home.