James N. Ferguson
September 6, 1946 – November 13, 2020
In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place and no service will occur. Memorial donations may be made to Animal Rescue Project, 219 Peekstok, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, in honor of his beloved adopted cats and family’s volunteerism.
Obituary
James “Jim” Neil Ferguson unexpectedly passed Friday, November 13th, 2020, from pneumonia and Covid-19. He was born on September 6, 1946, the son of Lester (George) and Minerva (Mae) Ferguson of Battle Creek and brother of the late Georgia Sullivan and Gene Ferguson. He was a 1964 Lakeview HS, Battle Creek, graduate. He was drafted into the US Airforce September 1964 and served four years, two of which were overseas as a machinist. He was a tool and die maker at General Motors and retired after 35 years, the majority of which were at the Fisher Body, Comstock, plant and several years in Marion, IN. He is survived by his wife Jane (Vidich) Ferguson of 32 years, WMU retiree; daughter Courtney James (with first wife, Karolynn Ferguson); son-in-law, Will; and granddaughter, Amelia. For decades, Jim was an avid league bowler at Continental Lanes, earning a 300-game ring, and traveling to tournaments throughout the country. He enjoyed his golf leagues and golf trips with friends including the annual Father’s Day long-weekend to various Michigan golf courses which allowed him to increase his golf ball collection. Jim was always looking for a woodworking project and had talents ranging from making jewelry boxes to a four-seasons room on his house. He was proud of any treasure he made for his granddaughter including – doll furniture, child’s sleigh, rocking horse, artist’s easel, and more. He was a wealth of knowledge in world history and enjoyed cooking new recipes, going to classic car shows, collecting antique glassware, watching sports, reading, doing crossword and table-top puzzles, and traveling the world with his wife. They visited 47 states in their quest to see all 50 and took many cruises including Alaska, Hawaii, Mediterranean, and Caribbean.
Jim was a great friend and golfing buddy. Farewell and will miss you bunches.
Our deepest sympathy to Jim’s entire family! We are so saddened by his death. Ken was always glad that Jim could join the Father’s day golf trips. He sure will be missed on the Tuesday traveling golf group too.
Dad and I a made a rare connection when I was hired by the developer that purchased the Fisher Body plant where he worked most of his life. He spent more time there than anywhere else and working on the rebirth of that facility allowed me to get to know a side of his life I would not have and him to see what I did. Dad brought lunch to me a couple times while the select demolition was occurring and we would sit in the back parking lot watching the man that sorted rubble from remains on the World Trade Center bombing site, carefully sort debris into groups for recycling. We had the interior 2.2 million square feet to ourselves and walked the route by which he would enter and exit the plant each day – locker room to find his locker; cafeteria; loading dock where he remembered trying to escape the heat one day, yet the dock was 104 degrees; ‘Quaker Line” where he was a tool and dye maker, lost part of a finger and gained the grease embedded in his nails and calloused hands; break room where he and his fellow workers would share potlucks and escape the sweltering summer heat; and where he waited to take the entry test the day he applied to work there. It opened the both figurative and literal guarded door that only those that worked there were allowed to enter and gain an understanding of the dedicated, hardworking man my father was.
I will always remember Jim Ferguson as a very kind, loving, generous and humble person, who made me and my family feel completely at home when we visited he and Jane. It was obvious that he and Jane had a very special marriage, one to cherish for the support and understanding they gave each other. I greatly appreciate the hospitality he and Jane showed to my daughter, Alexandra, the times when she visited and stayed with them. I want to thank Jim\’s family and Jane\’s many friends for the support they have given to Jane since Jim passed.
So sad to hear about this news. I hired in 1985, and was assigned m/n lines, right next to Q-line where Jim was. Being a “newby” and not real experienced at the tricks of the trade in this huge field, had problems. Jim was always willing to step in and “nicely” help you! He was a great guy, condolences to the family!
Will miss your smile and laugh and good times at bowling and golf. Condolences to the family. Marc
My heart goes out to your family. I truly enjoyed our chats at bowling and sharing our woodworking photos with each other. You were always so respectful to all and always had such a smile. I am glad to have known you and will miss you.
I enjoyed golfing with Jim on the Wednesday Moose League. My sympathy to his family.
I will miss the weekly golf game that I shared with Jim, We had a fun time golfing and critiquing each others game, which by the way, did nothing to improve our scores. Sympathy to his wife and family, I know he will be sadly missed. Goodbye old partner.