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Donald Gene Ferguson was born August 15, 1940 at the Ponca City Hospital, Ponca City, OK. Don was baptized September 15, 1940 at First Lutheran Church by Rev. Carl Bensene. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church on April 11th 1954 by Rev. A.E. Behrend. Don’s Confirmation verse: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life“. Revelations. 2: 10. He graduated from Ponca City High School in May 1958.
In September 1958, Don entered the University of Oklahoma as a Freshman and graduated in December 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. While at OU, he attended Trinity Lutheran Church and was Student Campus Director for Rev. Charles T. Knippel. Don also worked for the Daily Oklahoman Paper in Oklahoma City. At OU he was in the Air Force ROTC then ARMY ROTC program, where he received his pilot's license.
On March 11, 1964, Don left for the US Army to serve his country. While Lt. Ferguson was stationed at Ft. Eustis, Virginia for Officers Training during the Vietnam War, he married Kathryn R. Ferguson of Norman, Ok on May 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Norman, Ok. The couple then honeymooned from Oklahoma to Fort Eustis, VA, where Donald could resume his military duty. At headquarters, he wrote a monthly Transportation Newsletters that went world-wide and updated manuals for all Army and ROTC programs. While waiting to attend Fixed Wing School, Don had the opportunity of co-piloting Chinook Helicopters. Due to the long delay of training for the flight school program Don was released from Ft. Eustis, VA to return to civilian life on March 13, 1966 .
On May 1,1966, Don was employed with the Transportation Department of Continental Oil Company (later renamed to Conoco, Inc.) While in Ponca, he continued to finish out his reserve military duty. He received his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1970.
During Don’s employment with Conoco Inc, he served in many departments, including: the Transportation Department where he used his journalism degree to write a monthly newsletters, Imports/Exports to Refineria de Panama; Oilfield Hauling of Rail Cars, Trucks, Air and Ships. Coordinator of the Fracking Unit and Pumping Units. Donald also worked with Purchasing, Central Engineering, and Research & Development. In 1977, Don went to work for the Exploration Research and Development Department. In Geophysics he worked doing Computer 3D Seismic mapping of Mapped Geological Formations and databases. Don also worked in Environmental Services working in the lab with “Hazardous Waste Material“ retiring on October 31, 1996. In 1997, as an independent contractor, he worked for Conoco and Schulumberger in Exploration Research. In 1998, he was employed by Schulumberger as a Computer Mapping technician, located in Ponca City, OK. In 1999, Don finally retired with 32 years of service.
Throughout his life Don has loved all things historical, such as museums, visiting historical sites, and watching history on television. He loved to travel throughout the United States and have great outdoor adventures with family and friends. As a young boy he spent many hours camping and hiking in Colorado and also fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, the Ozarks in Missouri, and the Splendor of Yellowstone National Park a few years ago. Donald loved his Sooner's and other various devoted Oklahoma sports and sportsmen and women.. He was a devoted military man and church member throughout his entire life.
Donald was blessed with two children. Keri M Ferguson was born in 1977, and John E Ferguson was born in 1981. He loved spending time showing them his love of nature and sports. He encouraged both of his children to be independent and take the road less traveled.
Donald is preceded in death by his Mother , Henrietta M Ferguson; Father, Luther L Ferguson; Brother, Lewis Ferguson; and other aunts, uncles, cousins.
He is survived by his Wife, Kathryn R. Ferguson; Daughter, Keri M. Ferguson; Son John E. Ferguson (wife Stephanie A. Ferguson), Grandson, Barrett C. Ferguson; and Sister, Louise C Gelmers
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church, 1101 N. 4th St., Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.
Visitation will be from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, November 5, 2020, at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. A Funeral Ceremony will be at 1:00 PM Friday, November 6, 2020 at First Lutheran Church of Ponca City. Face masks are required. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed. The broadcast can be accessed by visiting www.troutfuneralhome.com between 12:45 PM and 1:00 PM , and selecting the Livestream link in the upper right hand of the homepage. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
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