Judge Paul Franklin Ferguson Sr.

1933 - 2025

Judge Paul Franklin Ferguson, Sr. graduated into the Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, surrounded by his family, at the age of 91.

Long before becoming the patriarch of an extensive and loving family, Judge Ferguson grew up in the oil fields of Burkburnett, Texas. As a teenager, he worked as the janitor for a local Baptist church that provided clothes and shoes for him and his brother to wear. He earned a Bachelor of Arts as a basketball player for Howard Payne University in 1954.

Judge Ferguson fought in the Korean War and received an honorable discharge from his military service as a commissioned Naval Officer. He thrived as an intelligence analyst and ultimately a section chief at the National Security Agency, where he was awarded a medal for his management of classified cryptanalysis projects. He carried President Eisenhower's briefcase, played poker in the Capitol, and advocated for legislation to protect American interests. He went to American University Law School at night, made the law review, and graduated in 1960. At the NSA, Judge Ferguson met a fellow intelligence analyst named Mary "Tince" Wilson from Rutherfordton, North Carolina. They were soon married, had three children, and moved back to Texas, where they settled in Alvin.

He was best known for presiding over civil and criminal trials as a District Judge, a position he held for 56 years. With his first appointment by the governor, he became the youngest District Judge in Texas history. He presided over landmark litigation, including the first case in Texas to recognize the "crashworthiness" doctrine that forced automobile manufacturers to prioritize the safety of their customers during their design process. He served on the Board and the Ethics Committee of the Texas State Bar's Judicial Section, as well as the Board of Visitors at Pepperdine Law School in Malibu, California. He founded and organized the Texas Association for Court Administration to promote respect for court staff. He acted as the chairman of Judicial Dispute Resolution Corporation, where he mediated hundreds of major civil lawsuits to settlement and garnered a reputation as the most successful mediator in Texas.

Judge Ferguson was also a legend outside the legal world. He worked as the editor of a newspaper, a college professor, and the president of a title company. He was elected as chairman of the deacons of First Baptist Church of Alvin, voted as little league commissioner in Alvin, and appointed as chief of staff at Second Baptist Church in Houston. He taught Sunday School lessons from every book of the Bible, founded the Cornerstone Commission that established 5,000 churches in Mexico, and - ever a Southern Baptist - owned a winery in North Carolina. He was a fixture at Second Baptist, a regular on the golf course, and a mentor in law offices across southeast Texas.

The Judge never forgot his roots. He dedicated his life to government service so he could help people in need. He advocated for the rights of everyday Texans in law practice, on the bench, and at the mediation table. It was his courtroom - at the courthouse, in church meetings, at basketball games, and everywhere in between. In 2010, the City of Burkburnett honored the boy from the oil fields with an induction into the BISD Hall of Fame as a Burkburnett Legend.

For all his achievements, Judge Ferguson's greatest accomplishment was his abiding faith in Jesus Christ. He practiced the Great Commission and was known to resolve legal disputes with the directive of Ephesians 4:32, "Be ye kind." He set a Christian example for his family, officiated many of their weddings, and loved to watch his grandchildren read Luke's Christmas story from the family Bible.

Paul Franklin Ferguson Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Monroe and Virgie Ferguson; his brother, Lloyd Ferguson; his wife, Mary Tisdale Ferguson; his son, Timothy Ferguson; and his great-granddaughter, Nateli Ferguson.

He is survived by his son, Paul Franklin "Chip" Ferguson, Jr. and wife, Michelle; daughter, Mary Suzanne Devillier and husband, Russell; grandchildren, Ryan Schaper and wife, Rebekah; Michael Schaper and wife, Shannon; Cassie Adams and husband, Brenden; Katlyn Clark and husband, Rob; Paul Franklin "Trey" Ferguson III; Mary Catherine Schweer and husband, Ben; Cody Dishon and wife, Julia; Timothy Monroe Ferguson and wife, Brittney; Johnny Dishon and wife, Kristy; Cameron Dishon and wife, Bria; Shelby Robinson and husband, Case; John Russell Devillier; and Mary Antonina Ferguson; great-grandchildren, William Paul, Catherine, Allison, and Emily Schaper; Mary Elizabeth, Lily, and Luke Schweer; Brooklyn, Parker, Easton, Trayce, Drew, Mitt, and Beck Dishon; Luca and Case Robinson II; Jay Paul and Amelia Adams; Reagan, Robert, Franklin Stokes and Kate Clark; and Timmy and Herron Ferguson; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of sending flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Second Baptist Church, 6500 Woodway, Houston, Texas 77057.

A celebration of his life will be led by Dr. Ed Young at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Hankamer Chapel of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway, Houston, under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A private graveside service for the family will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

Please keep the family in your prayers and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as Christ the Lord forgave you.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.