Celebrating the life of
James Don Ferguson
October 02, 2008 - October 02, 2008
J. Don Ferguson
SAVANNAH - J. Don Ferguson died peacefully surrounded by family Wednesday October 1, 2008 shortly after 1:00pm EST at Candler Hospital from complications of Leukemia that he had battled courageously for 11 years.
J. Don Ferguson was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1933 and was a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, Columbia SC.
He moved to Savannah in 1961 as Manager of WSOK radio station. In Savannah he became heavily involved in community and civic activities. He was Chairman of Public Relations of United Community Services, President of the Savannah Exchange Club, President of the Savannah Advertising Club, President of the Arts Council, President of the Savannah Little Theatre, President of the Coastal Empire Fair 3years, the Savannah Basketball Officials Association, and the Savannah Football Officials Association.
Honored by Savannah Jaycees as the city's "Outstanding Young Man of 1965", J. Don was very active as a regular actor in many local Theatre Productions. He had starring roles in The Fantastics, 110 In The Shade, Bye Bye Birdie, Send Me No Flowers and many more.
J. Don also wrote and starred in many local TV commercials for clients of his advertising agency. He was Spokesperson for Dan Vaden Chevrolet 18 years.
In 1989 he was President of the Southeastern Conference Basketball Officials Association and served two terms as President of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters.
J. Don was a vested member of the Screen Actors Guild appearing in more than 135 Feature Films, Made for TV Movies and episodic primetime and daytime Soap opera TV shows. Those films included The Longest Yard, Gator, Norma Rae, Bagger Vance, Something To Talk About, Last Of The Belles, and many others.
J. Don had a 20 year career as a NCAA Basketball Referee in the Southeastern Conference, Sun Belt, Trans America, and Southern. He officiated for 10 Years at the NCAA Tournament and at the 1989 NIT Finals.
He was a much sought after After Dinner Speaker. He made speeches in 48 states, and was considered one of the top platform Humorist and motivational Speakers in the Country.
He was an active participating member of Savannah Christian Church. J. Don used his acting talents for a limited ministry performing a one man show as the apostle "Peter" in many Churches in and out of Savannah and also recorded and played by WTOC TV.
J. Don is survived by wife Sheila Ferguson; two grown children; Don Ferguson Jr. and Patricia Mincey, both of Savannah; twin boys born in 1986, Justin & Jason Ferguson; a Granddaughter Stefanie Miller; and a Great Grand Daughter Kenna Miller.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Interment will follow in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com.
Dearest Sheila And Family I just recently found out about J.Don's passing. It makes me very sad that I was not there for you and your family. He was a wonderful man. We will continue to have our J.Don film festivals as we have for years. In reading all the condolences in this book, he has touched many lives. My favorite is the one written by your son, Justin. Its not often that you hear a son call his DAD his best friend. How wonderful for you that you are surrounded by such wonderful children and what a legacy for J.Don
- Terri St.Pierre, Lakeland, FL
I am a former member of Savannah's advertising community having worked at WSOK and WAEV from '85 to '95. J Don was such an important part of that community. What a wonderful life he had! My best to Donny.
- Paige Grady, Tampa, FL
Pat, Stephie, Don, and all Uncle Don's family, Janie and I are thinking of you as you adjust to Don's absence from earthly life. He was a big man in so many ways and there's no doubt his presence will be missed. As one of his nephews, my childhood was enriched by knowing him. I am grateful for having had him as part of my life. And it is more than comforting to know that the life we see is but a small part of the life that is.
- Michael Gantt, Lexington, SC
dear sheila, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. J. Don fought a long and brave battle, and will be remembered and missed by many. Jesse & Gail Wainwright
- jesse wainwright, savannah, GA
I am sorry for you loss. He will be missed by myself and many others, but his presence will be next to us for all time.
- Bernard A. Bailey, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to learn of J. Don's death. Our prayers are with you .
- Robert & Jan Jones, Savannah, GA
Mrs. Ferguson, children and the ones I know, Pat and Don. I am so sorry for your loss. Don was such a remarkable man and the best boss I ever worked for. I will always remember him. Rosemarie Mastison.
- Rosemarie Mastison, Savannah, GA
CVS Pharmacist-Derenne Store
- Buddy Marines, , GA
Pat, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Lisa
- Lisa Futch Roberson, Ellabell, GA
Don, Your Dad was a 'class act'. Don Harwood
- Don Harwood, Savannah, GA
Dear Shelia and family,my thoughts and prayers go out to you,Jdon was a great man and repected him very much,him and my Dad were good friends and I will miss him alot. Love to all Karen Williamscvs pharmacy
- Karen Williams, Savannah, GA
DEAR FAMILY, JDON WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM FROM THE MOVIES AND T.V. THAT HE DID.BUT HE WILL BE REMEMBERD MORE FOR THE MAN HE WAS. HE WAS VERY SPECIAL! I FIRST MET JDON MAKING T.V. SPOTS FOR THE DAN VADEN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP WAY BACK WHEN.1968-69HE ALWAYS HAD SOMETHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT ALL. HE COULD TAKE A JOKE PULLED ON HIM BETTER THAN MOST.WE DID A LOT OVER ALL THE YEARSBUT HE WAS A FRIEND AND I WILL ALL WILL MISS HIM!!! I WILL HAVE YOU ALL IN MY PRAYERS AS I HAVE JDON. WE WENT TO THE SAME DOCTOR FOR THE SAMETHING. GEORGE ROVOLIS RET.AFTER 30 YRS. DAN VADEN GROUP. MAY GOD BLESS
- GEORGE ROVOLIS, SAVANNAH, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this time. On behalf of myself and the The State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies my deepest sympathy....
- Tripp Mitchell, Villa Rica, GA
Sheila and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Don's death. He bravely fought the battle! May God Bless you all during this very sad time! Fondly, Maureen Simmons
- Maureen Simmons, , GA
Dear Sheila, Pat and family, So sorry to hear of J. Don's passing. My prayers are with all of you during this time. Sheila, you and I go back a long time and thru so many good times together even tho we have no seen each other for a few years. I am so glad you and the boys had J.Don for so many good years. He will be missed by all his family and friends. If I can do anything , give me a call. My sons both called me last night to tell me the news, we all have such fond memories of J.Don. My love and prayers are with you. Faye, James, Charlie Cunningham and families
- Faye Cunningham, Savannah, GA
To Justin and your family: All of us here at the IBEW union hall offer our sympathy on the death of your Dad. By now my Dad is giving your Dad a warm smile and handshake welcoming him home. If we can do anything for you, please call us.
- Judith U. Sheahan, Savannah, GA
Deepest condolences to the family.
- Barbara H. McCoy, Savannah, GA
Sheila I'm sorry to hear about Don, but he has fought a hard long battle and you know that he is resting peacefully now. My sympathy goes to you and your family. Fondly Lynda Garrison
- Lynda Garrison, , GA
Sheila: While we will certainly miss our 'crusing buddy', J. Don leaves behind a legacy like no one else. He will be remembered by thousands during every showing of his 100's of movies and television appearances. He was one of a kind. Our prayers and love to you and the family.
- Mark & Maxine Sussman, Savannah, GA
My Dear Cousin Sheila, I can hear our LORD as HE welcomed Don 'Well done,thou good and faithful servant:thou hast been faithful over a few things,I will make you ruler over many things:enter thou into the joy of the Lord'. Matthew 25:21 My heart goes out to you,my love and prayers for strength and comfort!The two of you were the best example of a Marriage blessed by GOD! Love and God Bless! Joyce
- Joyce Stanfield Thomas, Atlanta, GA
I wanted to pass along my condolences to your family. I am Don's niece Cindy from Knoxville. My mother Marion was Don's sister. My fondest memory of Uncle Don was the way he sweetly sat beside me and held my hand during Mom's funeral. I always loved getting cards telling us of an upcoming TV appearance, or just watching a movie and seeing him pop up on the screen. I could always recognize his voice. I regret that we did not keep in touch better over the past several years, but I know he is now with my Mom. With Love, Cindy Reed
- Cindy Reed, Knoxville, TN
Dearest Sheila And Family I just recently found out about J.Don's passing. It makes me very sad that I was not there for you and your family. He was a wonderful man. We will continue to have our J.Don film festivals as we have for years. In reading all the condolences in this book, he has touched many lives. My favorite is the one written by your son, Justin. Its not often that you hear a son call his DAD his best friend. How wonderful for you that you are surrounded by such wonderful children and what a legacy for J.Don
- Terri St.Pierre, Lakeland, FL
I am a former member of Savannah's advertising community having worked at WSOK and WAEV from '85 to '95. J Don was such an important part of that community. What a wonderful life he had! My best to Donny.
- Paige Grady, Tampa, FL
Pat, Stephie, Don, and all Uncle Don's family, Janie and I are thinking of you as you adjust to Don's absence from earthly life. He was a big man in so many ways and there's no doubt his presence will be missed. As one of his nephews, my childhood was enriched by knowing him. I am grateful for having had him as part of my life. And it is more than comforting to know that the life we see is but a small part of the life that is.
- Michael Gantt, Lexington, SC
dear sheila, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. J. Don fought a long and brave battle, and will be remembered and missed by many. Jesse & Gail Wainwright
- jesse wainwright, savannah, GA
I am sorry for you loss. He will be missed by myself and many others, but his presence will be next to us for all time.
- Bernard A. Bailey, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to learn of J. Don's death. Our prayers are with you .
- Robert & Jan Jones, Savannah, GA
Mrs. Ferguson, children and the ones I know, Pat and Don. I am so sorry for your loss. Don was such a remarkable man and the best boss I ever worked for. I will always remember him. Rosemarie Mastison.
- Rosemarie Mastison, Savannah, GA
CVS Pharmacist-Derenne Store
- Buddy Marines, , GA
Pat, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Lisa
- Lisa Futch Roberson, Ellabell, GA
Don, Your Dad was a 'class act'. Don Harwood
- Don Harwood, Savannah, GA
Dear Shelia and family,my thoughts and prayers go out to you,Jdon was a great man and repected him very much,him and my Dad were good friends and I will miss him alot. Love to all Karen Williamscvs pharmacy
- Karen Williams, Savannah, GA
DEAR FAMILY, JDON WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM FROM THE MOVIES AND T.V. THAT HE DID.BUT HE WILL BE REMEMBERD MORE FOR THE MAN HE WAS. HE WAS VERY SPECIAL! I FIRST MET JDON MAKING T.V. SPOTS FOR THE DAN VADEN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP WAY BACK WHEN.1968-69HE ALWAYS HAD SOMETHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT ALL. HE COULD TAKE A JOKE PULLED ON HIM BETTER THAN MOST.WE DID A LOT OVER ALL THE YEARSBUT HE WAS A FRIEND AND I WILL ALL WILL MISS HIM!!! I WILL HAVE YOU ALL IN MY PRAYERS AS I HAVE JDON. WE WENT TO THE SAME DOCTOR FOR THE SAMETHING. GEORGE ROVOLIS RET.AFTER 30 YRS. DAN VADEN GROUP. MAY GOD BLESS
- GEORGE ROVOLIS, SAVANNAH, GA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this time. On behalf of myself and the The State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies my deepest sympathy....
- Tripp Mitchell, Villa Rica, GA
Sheila and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Don's death. He bravely fought the battle! May God Bless you all during this very sad time! Fondly, Maureen Simmons
- Maureen Simmons, , GA
Dear Sheila, Pat and family, So sorry to hear of J. Don's passing. My prayers are with all of you during this time. Sheila, you and I go back a long time and thru so many good times together even tho we have no seen each other for a few years. I am so glad you and the boys had J.Don for so many good years. He will be missed by all his family and friends. If I can do anything , give me a call. My sons both called me last night to tell me the news, we all have such fond memories of J.Don. My love and prayers are with you. Faye, James, Charlie Cunningham and families
- Faye Cunningham, Savannah, GA
To Justin and your family: All of us here at the IBEW union hall offer our sympathy on the death of your Dad. By now my Dad is giving your Dad a warm smile and handshake welcoming him home. If we can do anything for you, please call us.
- Judith U. Sheahan, Savannah, GA
Deepest condolences to the family.
- Barbara H. McCoy, Savannah, GA
Sheila I'm sorry to hear about Don, but he has fought a hard long battle and you know that he is resting peacefully now. My sympathy goes to you and your family. Fondly Lynda Garrison
- Lynda Garrison, , GA
Sheila: While we will certainly miss our 'crusing buddy', J. Don leaves behind a legacy like no one else. He will be remembered by thousands during every showing of his 100's of movies and television appearances. He was one of a kind. Our prayers and love to you and the family.
- Mark & Maxine Sussman, Savannah, GA
My Dear Cousin Sheila, I can hear our LORD as HE welcomed Don 'Well done,thou good and faithful servant:thou hast been faithful over a few things,I will make you ruler over many things:enter thou into the joy of the Lord'. Matthew 25:21 My heart goes out to you,my love and prayers for strength and comfort!The two of you were the best example of a Marriage blessed by GOD! Love and God Bless! Joyce
- Joyce Stanfield Thomas, Atlanta, GA
I wanted to pass along my condolences to your family. I am Don's niece Cindy from Knoxville. My mother Marion was Don's sister. My fondest memory of Uncle Don was the way he sweetly sat beside me and held my hand during Mom's funeral. I always loved getting cards telling us of an upcoming TV appearance, or just watching a movie and seeing him pop up on the screen. I could always recognize his voice. I regret that we did not keep in touch better over the past several years, but I know he is now with my Mom. With Love, Cindy Reed
- Cindy Reed, Knoxville, TN
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
