Tom Ferguson

of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, May 25, 2004
at his home in Rapid City at the age of 82

Harold Thomas Ferguson, better known as "Tom" to his family and friends, was born September 13, 1921 on his parents’ Rafter Cross Ranch, in Haakon County north of Powell, South Dakota, the son of Edward and Frances (Hoffman) Ferguson.

He grew up on the ranch and attended rural school in that community prior to graduating from Philip High School in 1939. As a young man he worked with his parents on the family ranch. He attended college at Brookings, South Dakota, until World War II started. He joined the United States Air Force and served until his honorable discharge on October 28, 1943. He then returned to the family ranch where he continued to ranch with his family.

Tom was united in marriage to Ethel Viereck on July 19, 1947 at Chamberlain, South Dakota. They made their home on the Ferguson ranch all their married life. Ethel preceded him in death on January 16, 1983. Tom continued to remain on the ranch.

Tom was united in marriage to Janice Fines on July 15, 1988 in Rapid City, South Dakota. They made their home on the ranch until retiring and moving into Rapid City in 1994. They spent the summer months in Rapid City and the winter months they spent in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Tom was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Casa Grande. He was a member of the Philip Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173 of Philip and the South Dakota Buckaroos.

Tom enjoyed working on the ranch and also the Canada fishing trips with his friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Janice Ferguson of Rapid City; a daughter Valerie Mitchell and her husband Anthony of Rapid City; a son Greg Ferguson and his wife Cristi of Philip and their five children, Beau, Kelvin, Tyshia, Jasmine and Ethan Ferguson; a step-son Jay Fines and his wife Marcie of Rapid City and their sons Justin, Nathan, and Travis; three step-daughters, Shawn Jenison and her husband Brad of Kindred, North Dakota and their children Nicholas, Jared and Kaitlyn; Shelly Engebretson and her husband Tracy of West Fargo, North Dakota and their children John and Dustin; and Stephanie Fines-Wright of Rapid City and her daughters Sadie and Samantha, and their father Stuart Wright; special friends Dugan, Charmaine and Steven Stewart of Milesville; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his first wife Ethel, Tom was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Eddie, Earl, and Ford, and a sister Erma Ferguson.

Tom Ferguson, age 82, of Rapid City, and formerly of Philip, South Dakota, died Tuesday morning at his residence in Rapid City.

Memorial services were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Charlie Hunt officiating.

Private family interment with military honors by the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173 of Philip, will be in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip, South Dakota..

MEMORIAL SERVICES
Wednesday, June 2, 2004 10:00 a.m.
American Legion Post
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Rev. Charles Hunt

MUSIC
Joyce Wheeler - Lyndy Ireland
"The Lord's Prayer"
"Just A Closer Walk With Thee"
"One Day At A Time Sweet Jesus"

USHERS
Larry Smith - Paul Kohler

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
American Legion Post #173 of Philip
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Service Details

MEMORIAL SERVICES
Wednesday, June 2, 2004 10:00 a.m.
American Legion Post
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

We send our sympathy to Tom's family for their loss. Matt remembers Tom during all of time spent at the Ferguson Ranch with Greg. Our prayers are with you.
   ~ Matt, Amy, and Kyle Taylor P.O. Box 71, Gillette, WY 82717 (5/25/2004)
Tom was a good friend for many many years. He was an upbeat kind of guy and I always enjoyed working with him. I'm sorry he has passed, but I'm glad his suffering is finally ended.
   ~ Tom Foye tfoye@bangsmccullen.com (5/25/2004)
Our friend, Tom Ferguson was a very special person who taught our entire family many valuable lessons about life. We met Tom when he married Janice Fines in 1988. We were invited to visit the ranch with our entire family of six on our way to the Black Hills. Our grandchildren, who had been raised in the city, learned many important lessons from Tom. First of all they had not ever seen a working cattle ranch and learned many things about ranching and history. Tom took them on a tour to see it all. We all received the tour and saw our first limousines ---- I thought they should have had four wheels!! They were beautiful animals.

Our grandchildren learned a special lesson about compassion for animals when Tom reluctantly told them that his horse was very sick. Our grandson wanted to see the horse and talked Tom into showing him the animal and that's when our grandson learned the true meaning of compassion for an animal that is loved - but one that is suffering. He is 21 years old now but he still remembers and talks about Tom and his horse.

Tom Ferguson will never be forgotten by our family as he was a very special person who shared his life and gave much meaning to the word compassion, history family, and life.
   ~ Heinz & Charlotte Meyhuber 123 10th Ave. East Unit #202, West Fargo, ND 58078 (5/25/2004)
Frank and I enjoyed a lot of golf outtings with Tom and the gang. I remember his aversion to Del Taco for lunch afterward. Hope the two of them can get in a few rounds of pain-free golf now. Thanks for being a great guy Tom, Love Marianne.
   ~ Marianne . (5/25/2004)
Although I only knew Tom as a neighbor down the street, I often met him coming and going from the mailboxes and enjoyed passing the time of day with him. He was such an outgoing gentleman. We here at Sunwest will all miss him.
   ~ Tom Heneghan Sunwest - Casa Grande, AZ (5/25/2004)
Tom was one of the "great ones" and I was proud to have known him.
I will never forget him.
   ~ Russell Schreiber 8728 E. San Victor Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (5/25/2004)
I send my deepest sympathy to the family of "TOM" FERGUSON. (especially Valerie). I had the pleasure of being a ranchhand on the Rafter-Cross Ranch in 1957 & 1958. It was one of the happiest experiences of my life. I felt (and still feel) very lucky to have made friends with such wonderful people as Tom, Ethel, & Valerie. Joe Miller. Lincoln Nebraska.
   ~ W.W. "JOE" Miller 2000 N. 28th St. Apt. 201 Lincoln, Nebraska 68503 (5/25/2004)