Thomas Glen Ferguson, Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tom Ferguson on Saturday, August 16th, unexpectedly at his home with his wife by his side.

Tom was born on May 12, 1948, in Spokane, WA to Thomas G. Ferguson, a career Army officer, and Mary Jean Eckert Ferguson. Tom had an idyllic childhood and although he and his brother and sisters were afforded the opportunity of living in and traveling to a variety of locales throughout the United States and Europe, his fondest memories were of the summers spent with his siblings at his grandparent’s home in Springfield, MO. He loved the outdoors and hunting with his grandfather, father, and brother and was proud of earning his Eagle Scout when he was 13 years old.

Tom graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, GA in 1966 and went on to attend Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. After graduating from VMI in 1970, Tom began to prepare to attend law school at Washington and Lee University and went home for the summer to Fort Sill, where his father was stationed. This is where he met the love of his life, Susan Parr, a Lawton native and OU student. Susan was immediately impressed with Tom’s gentlemanly charm, intellect and good looks and, after a two-year long-distance courtship they were married on August 12, 1972. Upon graduating from W&L in 1973, they moved to Lawton, where Tom was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant, serving in the Field Artillery at Fort Sill.

After passing the Virginia Bar Exam and being admitted to practice law, Tom was promoted to Captain in the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps and served from 1973 to 1977 at Ft. Sill. After being honorably discharged in 1977, he joined his close friend from VMI and W&L, Bill Davis, in private practice in Bluefield, WV. Tom would later join the Army Reserves, again serving as a JAG Officer, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring in 1998. He received two Meritorious Service Medals and served his country honorably for over 23 years.

After two years of practicing law in Bluefield, Tom and Susan moved to Edmond where they would make their home for the next 46 years and raise their daughter Emily and son Trey. Tom’s children loved their father dearly. No matter how busy he may have been, he was always there for his kids. He took great joy in his children’s and four grandchildren’s lives and never let them forget how proud he was of them and how much he loved them.

Tom was a trial attorney and practiced law at his firm, Walker, Ferguson, Ferguson and Derouen. He had a distinguished legal career for over 52 years. He was admitted to practice in Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma, the U.S. District Courts for Eastern, Northern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, the U.S. Tax Court, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the US Supreme Court. He tried over 150 cases in both state and federal courts and took great pride in his ability to defend his clients. He served as the City Attorney for Union City, he argued before the Oklahoma Supreme Court, was a member of the Defense Research Institute, and was recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by his peers multiple times. He was well-respected by his colleagues and peers, always showing professional courtesy and using his position as an attorney to help others.

Tom was a Christian, a proud lifelong Episcopalian, and was an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Edmond for over 35 years. He helped negotiate the Church’s move to its current location, served as Church Chancellor, and recently received the Fruit of the Spirit award.

When Tom was not in his office or in the courtroom, you could find him playing golf with Susan or with his weekend golf buddies at Oak Tree Country Club, where he and Susan were members for over 39 years. Although never the longest hitter, he had an exceptional short game and knew every inch of the courses at Oak Tree. He was proud of making 7 hole-in-ones, winning a Super Senior Club Championship, and “shooting his age.” Tom and Susan loved playing golf with each other and traveling to many U.S. golf destinations, but were particularly charmed with Ireland’s iconic golf courses. Old Head, LaHinch, Tralee and Waterville truly captured their hearts and they reminisced often of their many times there, always wanting to return. They attended Ryder Cups in Scotland and Wales, and Tom often spoke of his experiences while attending the Master’s Golf tournament.

Never wanting to be idle, Tom was active his whole life, whether it was on the golf course, family ski trips to Colorado or Utah, or spending time on the beach or on the golf course while at their home in Naples, Florida. He loved to travel and took Susan on many extraordinary vacations, including the BVI and Italy. He loved gardening with his daughter, and looked forward to every fall and bird hunting with his son. He loved watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, and musical programs. He was a voracious reader and loved anything historical or a good mystery. He was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan, a Thunder season ticket-holder since its inaugural season, and rooted for the Sooners and his VMI Keydets. He loved a good steak, peel and eat shrimp, Susan’s pasta dinners, a glass of Cabernet, an occasional old fashion, and beach music.

Tom was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was a good friend, an honorable man, and always tried to show kindness to all. He would say that he had a great life and as Susan always said, he was the best.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Susan; his daughter, Emily Tidwell and her husband David and their two daughters Betsy and Laney of Tulsa; his son, Thomas G. Ferguson III (Trey) and his wife Alyssa and their two children Margaret and Tommy of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by his brother, Jim Ferguson and his wife, Judy, of Edmond; his sister, Kathy Barney and her husband Bill of Atlanta; his sister Mary Hendrick and her husband Alan of Edmond; his sister-in-law Debbie Kelly and her husband Paul of Omaha, and by many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Colonel (Ret) Thomas G. Ferguson and Mary Jean Eckert Ferguson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s honor to the Stephenson Cancer Center, Fields of Honor, or to a charity of your choice. Honorary pallbearers are Kim Sabatino, John Burchfiel, Jim Feist, Al Musser, Bob Voegeli, Carlan Yates, and Mike Ridgell.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26th, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Edmond, with a Celebration of Life immediately afterwards at Oak Tree Country Club.