George Paul Ferguson

George Paul Ferguson was born January 7, 1925, at Chapman, Kansas. He was the son of George E. and Ella Anna (Fiest) Ferguson. He moved to Franklin County, Kansas in 1938. He also resided in California a few years. George returned to Franklin County, moving to Ottawa in 1987, where he made his home, until his death Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at the age of eighty years. George graduated from Princeton High School with the class of 1943. In the early and mid 1940's, he hauled milk. Since the late 1940's, he was an electrician. He worked for Wiggins' Electric in Ottawa in the late 1940's. In the 1950's, he joined Topeka Local 226 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, working with them until his retirement in 1987. He worked on many projects with several companies in Missouri, Texas, California, Utah, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nevada, Arizona, and Nebraska. After retirement, he spent his time doing small electrical jobs, home improvements, and working on small mower engines. One of his last projects was to rebuild an Antique Allis-Chalmers Tractor with his nephew, Jerry Ferguson. He took enormous pride in this tractor and was thrilled to drive it in the 'Power of the Past' parade in 2004. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Power of the Past, and Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles, all of Ottawa. On April 7, 1961, George was united in marriage with Dorothy Fern Gage at Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on July 18, 1993. He is also preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Robert L., Ralph, Edward, and Bernard Ferguson; and sister, Grace Piersol. Mr. Ferguson is survived by two daughters, Jorja Kaye Peake and her husband, Stephen, of Villa Park, California, Glenda Joy Gardiner and her husband, Dean, of Orange, California; two sons, Dennis Lee Baer and his wife, Rene, of Moreno Valley, California, Timothy Lane Baer and his wife, Diane, of Orange, California; two sisters, Mary Ann Neiswender of Topeka, Kansas, Lillian L. Speicher of Denver, Colorado; brother, James A. Ferguson and his wife, Donna, of Ottawa; seven grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. SERVICES: A Funeral Mass will be held from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2005. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Fr. Tod Ziegler. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Ferguson at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 2:00 p.m. Thursday to the service hour, where a Rosary will be said on Friday evening at 7:00 followed by a family visitation from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. CEMETERY: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.