Jack Ray Ferguson

jack ferguson

February 5, 1927 ~ May 6, 2020

Born in: Haywood County, NC
Resided in: Candler, NC

Jack Ray Ferguson passed away May 6, 2020, at Seacoast Hospital, Little River, SC, with his family by his side.

Jack Ray was born in Haywood County on February 5, 1927, to the late Thomas W. Ferguson and Maggie Stevenson Ferguson.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Hall Ferguson; two daughters, Renea Turner (Chuck) and Jonel Kinser, of Clemmons; son, Steven Ferguson (Reba) of Candler; daughter-in-law, Tammy Ferguson; 12 grandchildren, Russell, Reva, Chris, Jennifer, Matthew, Ian, Emily, Erica, Jason, Aaron, Adam and Scott; 13 great-grandchildren; and sister, Betty Ruth Burgman of Port Orange, FL.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Reva Worley Ferguson; grandson, Steven Vella Ferguson; son, Robin Jack Ferguson; brother, Billie Marian Ferguson and his wife Edna; brother-in-law, Donald Burgman; and son-in-law Bryan Kinser.

He was a member of Hominy Baptist Church for over 60 years and very dedicated to his church.

He attended Blanton’s Business College and served in the US Army from 1951-1953 in the 10th Armored Division, 2nd Bn. 278th Regimental Combat Team.

He worked briefly at American Enka, then spent a lifetime career at Lowe’s Home Improvement. He was the former Assistant Manager at Asheville, and retired as Manager of Lowe’s Hendersonville store.

He was the former Chairman of the Board of Wilkes National Bank, and he was a member and Past Master of Hominy Masonic Lodge #491; member of Oasis Shriners and Hendersonville Shrine Club and Candler Lions Club. He was also Past Patron of Electa Chapter No. 228, Order of Eastern Star.

He received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mars Hill University and Asheville Buncombe Technical College. He was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the State of North Carolina for philanthropic giving.

He will be remembered for his philanthropic generosity to AB Tech, Mars Hill University, ABCCM, YMCA, Memorial Mission Cancer Center, Hominy Baptist Church and other charities throughout Western North Carolina.

Mr. Ferguson will lie in state at Hominy Baptist Church on Sunday, May 10 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., and again on Monday, May 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11 at Hominy Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Joe Yelton, Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon and Rev. Melissa Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, there may be no more than 50 people gathered for his service at the church and no more than 50 people gathered for the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home at Clyde and to the Hominy Baptist Church Endowment Fund.

Mr. Ferguson’s service will be streamed live at 2:00 p.m. Monday at Facebook.com/HominyBaptistChurch.

Services

Funeral Service: May 11, 2020 2:00 pm

Hominy Baptist Church
135 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715

828-252-3535

Visitation: May 10, 2020 12:00 pm - March 28, 2024 6:00 pm

Hominy Baptist Church
135 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715

828-252-3535

Visitation: May 11, 2020 10:00 am - March 28, 2024 2:00 pm

Hominy Baptist Church
135 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715

828-252-3535

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Army Veteran

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. With broken hearts we say our goodbyes and feel a great thankfulness for having known such an amazing man as Jack Ferguson, known better to us as Granddaddy.

  2. Jack was a wonderful, down to earth, generous soul that we were blessed to have as a friend. He loved being a Mason and a member of the Eastern Star — always at events having a good time and helping with whatever needed to be done. Peace and blessings to the family.

  3. Steve prayers for your whole family. I regret that I didn’t get to meet your Dad.

  4. A kind and generous man, Jack will be remembered for years to come for the positive influence he had on so many. Sincere condolences to Carolyn (Jack’s rock), Renea, Jonel, Steve, and their families.

  5. Truly one of the greats. He did so much for our community and asked nothing in return.
    He will be missed!

  6. Truly one of the greats. He did so much for our community and asked nothing in return.
    He will be greatly missed!

  7. Carolyn and family our deepest sympathy to all you. May God wrap you in his arms at this difficult time. I will miss Jack on Friday mornings coming with Carolyn to get her hair fixed. Jack was a good man and helped our community tremendously. Rest In Peace dear friend!!!! You will be missed!

  8. Jack (Ray to some) was one of the finest people I have ever known. I feel blessed for that, and to have had the opportunity to do work for Carolyn and him was a highlight of my legal career. Words cannot truly express the loving, amazing impact they have had on so many lives in Western North Carolina. I see Jack’s smile in my thoughts at this moment. God sure did well when he made and shaped Jack Ray Ferguson, and now he has been called home. Jack, you will be sorely missed here.

  9. How do two friends say goodbye?
    We join a host of friends, not say goodbye,
    but we miss you in the crowd, Jack!
    Our dear friend has departed, but we
    can say, so long until we meet again.
    To Carolyn we extend our greeting and
    our thoughts with our love, in your loss!
    Until –
    Love
    Bob & Evelyn

  10. I am so sorry for your loss. I had the great privilege of getting to know Mr Ferguson from Restaurant Hwy 151. I will always remember his smile. You will be missed.

  11. Jack’s smile, twinkle in his eye and kind words will be missed at church. I am thankful for the Mission Cancer Center that he and Carolyn provided. Many people will continue to receive health, education and many other benefits from Jack’s generosity for years to come. I pray for his family and know that he is in God’s loving care now.

    • I am a better person for knowing Jack and his beautiful wife Carolyn. I will miss seeing him at church and at the Lions Club. Fly high on your angel wings Jack. Much love….Ed and Susie Clontz

  12. To my second Dad. Without you, I would never have accomplishedwhat I’ve accomplished up to today. I will miss you so much Jack. Love you and Carolyn more than you will ever know.♥️♥️♥️

  13. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with the Ferguson family. Jack was special. We will miss seeing him at the beach. Love and prayers from your beach neighbors. Linda and Tommy McVey

  14. I got to Jack through the Eastern Star. I thought he was one of the kindest and and gentlest person
    I knew always friendly and smiling , I will miss him. Elaine Burnette

  15. Dear Carolyn and family, We are so sorry to read of Jack’s passing. We met you both at the Hominy Valley Masonic Lodge and The Order of the Eastern Star. We remember you both fondly. Many have been helped by his generosity over the years. May God give you strength, comfort and peace during this time and in the days to come.
    Our deepest sympathy,
    Phil and Joyce Dover Evans

  16. We are all greatly saddened by the loss of Jack. This world has lost a wonderful person but Heaven has gained a precious child. Jack’s kindness and love for others was amazing! When I think about how God’s love is extended to the world I think of Jack. He touched the lives of thousands of people in a manner that truly reflects God’s concern and care for everyone. It was a blessing to know Jack and witness firsthand how much he loved others and was willing to give of himself. The things Jack did in this life will live on in the lives of others for generations. Thank you, Jack, for your generosity and love and for being an inspiration to us all. You will be missed! Carolyn, please know that we love you and your family and are keeping you in our prayers.

  17. Dear Carolyn and Family,
    Please accept our sympathies to you all. Jack was such a wonderful person and a true pleasure to know over my years at A-B Tech. Your family’s selfless giving has made such a difference for so very many. He will, as my mother always said, have a Star in his Crown. God bless you all,
    Sue & John Olesiuk

  18. This man will have a special place in heaven. I have been blessed just to have known him and his generosity and love for people.

  19. I was so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. He was humble, generous, kind, and treated others with respect. A self-made man who wished to help others with no expected praise or recognition; together with his wife, Carolyn, they did immeasurable good in our community through unselfish financials gifts to build much-needed facilities in our area. Case in point, they were the major supporters of the A-B Tech Allied Health Building which bears the Ferguson name. A YMCA branch, a Mars Hill University building….the list goes on! Jack was the type guy who was truly genuine and never self-serving. We have lost a uniquely generous man, whom I will never forget. My thoughts and prayers go out to Carolyn and the family. He was a special gift from God. RIP, my friend!

  20. Carolyn and Family
    We are very sorry for your loss.
    Our friendship goes back a long time to when our children were growing up.
    We always looked forward to seeing “Jack and Carolyn” and it was always Jack and Carolyn.
    Jack always had a kind, sweet, warm smile that expressed love and care.
    We loved Jack and you Carolyn. We will miss him very much.
    You will be in our prayers and thoughts praying that God will wrap His arms around you with His peace, comfort, and love.

    Gary and Peggy
    Reggie and Lisa
    Ronnie and Andrea

  21. Jonel, I am thinking and praying for you and your family. Sending all my love and prayers for this difficult time. God Bless you,
    Sandy Swartz
    Advance, NC

  22. Jonel, Praying for you and your family during this great loss. May you feel our prayers.
    Love,
    Nancy Hudspeth

  23. Jonel, my sincere condolences for you and your family. May God comfort you and wrap you in His tender love and peace.
    Deborah J. Gephart
    High Point, NC

  24. So sorry to read of Jacks passing, we knew he and Carolyn while attending Hominey Baptist Church. They were always so kind and nice to our family. Carolyn helped our daughter, Sharon very much. Jack will be greatly missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with this family.

  25. Family, I knew him as Ray from being close friends to Billie and Edna. He was a great brother to Billie! A kind and generous from what I saw. He will be missed. Please accept my sympathy. Sincerely,Pat Williams

  26. Thankful for a great boss at Lowe’s of Hendersonville. A Good and giving man which helped our family. Love and Prayers to the whole family during your time of loss.


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