John Thomas Ferguson, Jr.
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John Thomas Ferguson, Jr., 90, of West Caln Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at Tel Hai Retirement Community, Honey Brook, PA. He was the beloved husband of Phyllis H. Beck Ferguson with whom he would have celebrated 69 years of marriage on June 14. Born at home in the village of Martins Corner, PA, he was the son of the late John T. Ferguson, Sr. and Sara Gay Oberholtser Ferguson.
John was a 1948 graduate of the former H. Scott High School in Coatesville, PA where he played clarinet in the Marching Band. He continued his education at Penn State University, graduating in 1952 with a teaching degree in Industrial Arts. In 1970, he completed a Master's Degree in Industrial Arts from Millersville University.
John was employed for 35 years by the Spring-Ford School District in Royersford, PA as an industrial arts teacher. He began his career teaching wood shop and then added metal shop and mechanical drawing. John further enhanced the program by creating interesting clubs in automotive repair and aeronautics. He and his family lived in Spring City for many years. As a Resident of Spring City, he served many years on the Borough Council.
During his years of teaching, John was also instrumental in establishing the local Boy Scout Explorer Post, a branch of scouting for senior high young men. Many local young men participated in the troop. Their lives were forever changed by the famous Scout Bus Trips they embarked on every summer. For his many years of service, John was awarded the Silver Beaver Award.
John also enjoyed camping with his family, traveling all over the United States. He and Phyllis also traveled to Florida each winter for many years, enjoying time with family and friends. He even had his private pilot’s license. One of the most beloved flying adventures was taking his family up at Christmas time to see the Christmas lights. Most of all though, he loved spending time at the family cottage on the Chesapeake Bay each summer, boating and entertaining family and friends.
He was a lifetime member of the Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church in Glenmoore, PA. He faithfully served many terms as an Elder, taught Sunday School and in his younger years led the Youth Group. He was honored several years ago with the position of Elder Emeritus.
John began a lifelong involvement in the Gideon International Ministries in the 70’s and served in many capacities including PA President. He helped distribute Bibles to college students and nursing students at graduation.
John supported many other Christian ministries including the Seminary Education Fund at his church, Christian Fellowship of India, Child Evangelism of Chester County, Water Street Mission, and World Gospel Mission to name a few.
He is survived, in addition to his wife, Phyllis, by three daughters: Susan Albright and husband Jim of Mountville, PA, Cheryl Eckman and husband Greg of Oxford, PA and Nancy Swarr and husband Harold of Strasburg, PA. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one sister, Leila Ferguson Herr, wife of Paul Herr, of Willow Valley, Willow Street, PA
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 4:00 PM at the Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 1648 Horseshoe Pike, Glenmoore, PA 19343 followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery. Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing at the church, Friday evening, June 4, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and also Saturday afternoon from 3:00 PM until the time of the service. Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by accessing the church website and clicking on LIVESTREAM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's memory to the Forks of the Brandywine Seminary fund at the above address.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
Rest in peace beloved brother-in-law
John is rejoicing in Heaven today with his precious and beloved Lord who he faithfully served all his life. He was always an inspiration and a joy to be around. Had many great memories, especially his and Phyllis' trips to Florida where we would get together canoeing and just enjoying sweet fellowship. He will be greatly missed.
My heart hurts with saddness,
My heart hurts with saddness, but I know it made you smile last Sunday to hear "welcome my good and faithful servant". Thank you for your lifetime of faithful service to the Forks and for beng a mentor to me for so many years.
Amazingly, I thought of the
Amazingly, I thought of the Ferguson family just this week as I passed by the old homestead in Spring City. I am very sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful man. A special memory I have is my young son Christopher sitting at your kitchen table with John threading cherry stems through Cheerios, of all things. May he rest in piece and my you all be blessed by his memories. Sonia (Smith) Maressa
A life well lived
I am crying at the world’s loss of John Ferguson. Reading that excellently written obituary, I see a life of humble service to others, impacting thousands of lives and families. I am grateful to have known him.
The last conversation I had with him by phone, my daughter was with him and had her call me to ask me to recount one more time the impact of the Gideon’s New Testament in bringing me literally to my knees to surrender my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Knowing the impact of Scripture also led to taking that Word to an then-unreached people group (“nation”), where there is now a growing fellowship of believers. In that phone call, Mr. Ferguson was still full of good cheer and enthusiasm. Who knows but that he could have been one of the men who was led to put that Bible on a ledge by the cafeteria, with prayer, that I then picked up?
My prayers for his wife, and for his daughters and their families. My heart hurts to think of your loss. And yet I feel great rejoicing as well at this father, teacher, servant of church, community, and missions. He has run his course and reached the goal. I am inspired by him. Thank you, John. I look forward to seeing you again someday in much better circumstances! We will no doubt be amazed at all those who are with us because of your faith and yieldedness to serve with a heart of love and simple words led by the Spirit of Christ, unashamed of your Savior. Blessings to the family and his many friends and acquaintances.
Saddened by your loss
Dear Mrs. Ferguson and families, Karen and I were sad to hear of Mr. Fergusons passing. He loved his Lord and I can say I never heard him say and unkind word about anyone. He was a wonderful teacher I looked up to and the Explorers made my life complete, the fun we had on our camping trips and the bus. I know Mrs Ferguson was kept busy helping to get us away and also managing her 3 girls all wanted to come out to see us leave. He is in his heavenly home which is what he waited for. Even in the explores he led us in prayer and often scripture. You have wonderful memories to sustain you. May God keep all of you. Ralph and Karen Finkbiner Jr