James Calvin Ferguson

James (Jim) Calvin Ferguson was born December 30th, 1948, in St. Louis,
MO the son of Calvin Glen Ferguson and Jean Ferguson-Landing. He
departed this life Sept 20th, 2024, at St Louis University Hospital. Jim
graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1966, where he played football
and later attended Arkansas State University. He married Linda Kay Drury
on June 5, 1971, at Second Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff.

Jim started his work career with his dad, Cal, loading Bunny Bread trucks
and helped with morning deliveries. Known for his work in the grocery
business, Jim began to work for the “Isn’t it nice to live in Poplar Bluff”
Louie Snider at Snider’s IGA as a “bottle boy” and worked his way up to
Store Manager in 1971, and continued that role for 20 years. He later
worked for Wetterau Foods and Super Value as a retail counselor to
grocery stores in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and Tennessee. Following
the sale of the wholesale companies, he returned to store management
with Town and Country until his retirement in 2014.

Jim, or Fergie to most, loved sports and being outdoors, especially the
Cardinals and Current River. A 40+ year member of Westwood Hills
Country Club, he served on the board of directors and multiple committees
throughout the years. As a sports fan he followed all the Missouri Clubs
but became a rebel the day his granddaughter enrolled at Ole Miss.

In the early years, Jim would often take Linda on 3 to 4 day canoe trips but
later discovered jet boats and cabins were just as much fun and more
comfortable. Current River, in Van Buren is where he enjoyed his
retirement, driving his boat, grilling pork steaks for holiday weekends, and
watching the river on the deck. He would have a daily count of how many
boaters and floaters hit the rock shelf in front of the cabin when the water
was low.

Jim was of Methodist faith and was known for his fairness and honesty, dry
wit (sometimes to a fault), hardwork and dedication to his family. As a
proud Dad and Poppa, he supported his children and grandchildren in any
of their endeavors.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Cal and Jean; and brothers
James Harold Ferguson and Norman Keith Ferguson.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda; son, Bryan (Joy) Ferguson and their children,
Owen and Evan; daughter Traci (Kevin Jr.) Barbour and their children
Taylor, Kaylee, Trey (Allison), and James Karr Barbour.
Brother, Randy (Kathy) Ferguson, along with many nieces, nephews,
cousins and many friends.

Visitation will be held 10am-noon, Thursday, September 26, 2024, with services immediately following at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services in Poplar Bluff, MO. Burial will take place at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Pastor Jason Jordan officiating.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Mules Booster Club.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of James Calvin Ferguson.
Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com