Charles Ferguson

On Tuesday evening, December 17, 2013, Charles Richard Ferguson ended his battle with cancer and a broken heart from the loss of his childhood sweetheart a month earlier. He was the son of John and Louise Berry Ferguson, born August 17, 1946 in Geneva, OH. He was a 1964 graduate of Ashtabula High School, Ashtabula, Ohio and also received three Associates degree and a Bachelors degree with honors in Wildlife Management from Eastern New Mexico University.

He met his wife, Judith A. Curley Ferguson, during high school where they dated for almost three years before marrying on June 12, 1965 in Ashtabula. Charles was newlyenlisted in the United States Air Force at the time. The couple first moved to Shaw AFB, SC before Charles was stationed at Howard AFB, Canal Zone. There, Judy gave birth to their first son, Charles II. Their next stop was Plattsburgh AFB, NY, where his second son William was born. Charles deployed to Thailand for the Vietnam War and Judith took care of the family for a brief time in Conneaut, OH. The familys next move was to Wurtsmith AFB, MI with a followon assignment to Hahn AB, Germany. In 1981, the Fergusons moved to Cannon AFB, where Charles retired from the USAF in 1984 as a Senior Master Sergeant. The family settled down in Clovis, where Charles then moved on to his civilian career. He began as a draftsman at AM Building Systems before moving on to his second full career at the NM State Environment Department. He started as a health inspector, transitioned to the Solid Waste Division, and ultimately finished his career off as the Outreach Program Director.

Charles was a devoted husband to his wife, a loving father to his children and grandchildren, a great friend to many and a mentor for untold numbers of Airmen whom he worked with in his time in the Air Force. Charles enjoyed the outdoors his whole life, learning to fish and hunt at a very young age. He raised his two sons to be the best of what he was, and even found room in his heart to take a third child under his wing as if he were his own son. He was a dad to many people, and he touched many, many lives in a positive way. Charles was a hero to his sons, who will spend the rest of their days trying to do right by him. He is reunited with Judy now, where they are finally at peace and no longer suffering.

Charles is survived by his two sons: Charles II and wife Penny Lord of Tucson, AZ, and William and his wife Andre Le Messurier of Vandenberg AFB, CA his two grandchildren: Samantha and Christopher his adopted son Robert Krause of San Antonio, TX his three sisters: May Alanko and her husband Paul of Gulf Shores, AL, Betty Lou Morrison of Conneaut, OH, Cheryl Lutes of Conneaut, OH and his brother, Don and his wife Rose Mary of Leesburg, FL.

In lieu of a formal memorial service, a remembrance potluck lunch will occur at the Ferguson residence on Monday, December 23rd at 1:00p.m. Please contact a family member for details.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of SteedTodd Funeral Home and Crematory, 800 E Manana Blvd, Clovis, New Mexico 575 7635541. You may also sign the online guest registry at www.steedtodd.com .