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John Paul Ferguson, 83, died Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Sutter Roseville Medical Center after suffering from a stroke. He leaves his wife of 60 years, Eloise (Petersen) Ferguson; his sons Eric, Mark, and Scott Ferguson; grandchildren: Erika Howard, Jamie Smalley, Sovauhna Word, and Alyssa and Madeline Ferguson; and great grandchildren: Charlotte and Wyatt Word; and Walker Smalley, as well as many close friends and extended family. Born in Glenrio, Texas to JW and Verdia Mae (Batts) Ferguson, he spent most of his life in Modesto, where he grew up and raised his own family. In his early years, he lived in Glenrio with his parents and grandparents, John Wesley and Eugenie Ferguson. His grandfather managed the Glenrio train depot and his father operated the service station across the street along historic Route 66. His family spent time between Modesto and Glenrio over the years, with stints in Colorado and Oregon. They settled for good in Modesto in 1948. He had many fond memories growing up in old-town Modesto. His childhood experience was centered on the neighborhood park, Mazwren Park. He and his friends spent hours playing basketball, baseball, and football. The friendships he formed during that time endured throughout his lifetime. He also valued his experiences in Glenrio, where he spent many summers working on his cousin’s ranch or at the service station in Glenrio. Mr. Ferguson attended Washington Elementary and Franklin Elementary Schools in Modesto, and Adrian School in Texas. He attended Modesto High School all four years, graduating in 1952. After two semesters at Modesto Junior College, he went on to serve in the United States Coast Guard in 1953, where he served on a buoy snatcher, a cutter, and an ice breaker vessel. He also played on the Coast Guard basketball team; one of his highlights was playing against University of San Francisco basketball great, Bill Russell. After leaving the Coast Guard he went on to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo College in 1956, studying electrical engineering. While becoming well-versed in the discipline of electrical engineering, he found himself in the medical field, taking a job with Gould Medical Group in 1958, where he would thrive and grow has an administrator over his 30-year career there. He guided the small medical clinic to be one of Modesto's largest medical facilities, retiring as its vice president in 1993. An enthusiastic sportsman, he was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Spring Creek Country Club in Ripon, as well, he loved playing handball at the Sportsman of Stanislaus Club, a special place he enjoyed socializing and pursuing his love of sports. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock.

Tributes

John Paul Ferguson

March 11, 1934 - January 3, 2018