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Bear L.P. Ferguson
Bear L.P. Ferguson
Obituary
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Bear Ferguson Obituary
Born and raised in Bryan, Texas, on March 23, 1951, he was the son of the late Thomas M. Ferguson, Sr. and Grace Evelyn (Barnett) Ferguson.
He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan, Texas in 1969; from Texas A&M University in 1973 with a BBA in Marketing; and from the University of Illinois in 1976 with a MS in Advertising and Communications.
Known for his dedication, determination and charisma, Bear built a successful career in marketing, advertising and business development in Chicago, Houston and other areas with the last 20 years devoted to ESi. He had very close business relationships and great friends in numerous cities.
Bear enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, travel and spending time with his family and friends. He was known as an avid storyteller with a quirky and dramatic sense of humor, and for sharing his famous Bear hugs. A devoted dad, Bear nurtured, taught, coached and supported his daughters in all their endeavors throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
In addition to his parents, Bear was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas M. Ferguson Jr., and John F. Ferguson, his sister, Leticia R. Penn and niece, Britanny L. Ferguson.
Bear is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Kathy Ferguson of Spring, Texas, daughter Hillary Fecht and her husband, Mitch, and granddaughter Dylan of Muscatine, Iowa and daughter Carissa Ferguson of Spring, Texas; sisters-in-law: Carol Ferguson, Joyce Ferguson and Donna Lord Winter; nieces: Kelli Stoner (Darrell), Ashley Kelley (Matthew), Holly Smith (Gregg), Melissa Whisler (Todd), Robin Oberst (Matt), Brooke Grall (Jay), Randi Sanborn (Robert); nephews: John Ferguson (Reba) and Don Readhimer II (Anne), Jake Elkins and numerous great nieces and nephews.
As a selfless, giving and thoughtful individual throughout his life, Bear was an organ donor and, additionally, he chose to leave his body to science in the wish and hope that he might again help others even in death.
Services will be held in Naperville, IL at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with visitation at 10 am and Memorial Mass at 11 am on February 17, 2024. A second service will take place on March 1, 2024, at 11 am at The Woodlands Methodist Church in the Woodlands, TX.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations to offset funeral expenses gratefully accepted.
21 Entries
Carol Chavez
April 24, 2024
I just learned or Bear's passing. I'm so sorry the world has lost such an amazing human being. I got to know Bear through work in the forensic engineering field. He was always a strong, positivie, kind prescense in any room he entered. He talked often with immense fondness about his wife and family and had such a great outlook on life. He will be truly missed. ~Carol Chavez
Stephen Fields
March 7, 2024
Bear was someone who left an indelible impression on you. He always made you feel as if you were a true friend. My deepest condolences to his family.
Jacky Horton
March 6, 2024
Bear was a true professional in his field. He was thoughtful and kind. I will miss seeing him at the railroad conferences. My deepest sympathy for his family´s loss.
Laura Beasley
February 19, 2024
Bear's kindness I will never forget. The first time I met Bear I was a new attorney, all alone, at a large conference. He came right up to me and made me feel part of the group. He became the first person I look for at events as he would always have great story for me. He brought a smile to my face every time we talked.
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Mike Ricketts
February 16, 2024
My first encounter with Bear was when he yelled "Slow Down!" as I was driving by his house. (My Trans Am was loud, but I wasn't actually speeding.) Not long after, Kim told me about a sweet family that she met down the street that had girls the same age as our girls. I said "wait, is that the dude that yelled at me to slow down by their house?" She gave me a look and said "You better not have given them a bad impression; maybe you should go apologize. I want them to be our friends!"
Thankfully, we all soon were laughing about it, and that was just the first of a lifetime of laughs with Bear, Kathy and their family. As I'm typing this, I still can't believe all of the wonderful times we shared together that went by so fast, way too fast. Bear and I worked and played together in so many different ways, wearing many different hats. From volunteering, helping non-profit organizations, hauling a motorcycle to get signed by and meet President Clinton, golf outings - to the Nez Perce Indian Princesses, critter hunts, bee hive relocators, keepers of tradition, protectors, and so much more.
The best and most cherished hat we wore though was "friends". It truly was the best of times back in those days when we all hung out on a regular basis. Hillary and Tawni, and Carissa and Sierra were inseparable, and Logan often tugged along behind. Bear and Kathy and Kim and I, and often our neighborhood friends would get together for dinner, drinks, and just sit and laugh and share stories. Yes, Bear was a great story teller. He never met a stranger, and would stop whatever he was doing to help someone in need. He thrived at helping others. And he was so proud of his family. We love swapping dad stories, and we loved even more making those dad memories together.
I will forever be grateful for the close friendship we had, the memories, the laughs, the common bond of family, and I know he will always be with us, looking over us with that warm and welcoming smile. I can just hear the sound of Kim and Bear´s laughter bouncing through the trees and down the halls of heaven. And I´ll never have a bonfire without thinking back and laughing at how we never had enough wood or a big enough flame for Bear. His flame will always burn bright. He was one of kind, and I am honored to have been his friend.
Tom Pajevic
February 15, 2024
Floating in my pool till 3 AM drinking beer and talking about how proud we were of our girls playing softball. His Passion radiated on the field and in the dugouts with his love of coaching always bringing balance and encouragement when we needed it the most. Bears legacy has brought us all love and great memories and for that we thank you. And to say you will be missed is a monumental understatement may you rest in peace my friend.
Craig Cinotto
February 14, 2024
Bear was a true gentleman and a great friend from the first time I met him when he gladly gave me a tour of the Naperville ESI grand opening and HQ. After that saw him at different events and only got to talk with him once since he moved back to Texas. But what a great business rep and friend to all. Craig.
Diana Spicer
February 14, 2024
My best memory is that he made Kathy very happy. I looked up to her and when she met Bear I remember how sweet he was and how much he cared for her. And she deserved that kind of happiness. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. I hope all the sweet memories will fill the void at times when you are missing him. Sending you love and positive thoughts.
Diana(Deedee) Mercado and family
Jeff Young
February 14, 2024
Bear was a friend of mine for approximately 50 years. we hunted and fished together early on, and then kept tabs with each other after he had moved to Chicago. What I remember about Bear is that we might not talk for a year or so and then pick up a conversation as if we had talked the day before. Bear is included in just a handful of friends that I have been blessed to have in my life. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven and keep Kathy and the girls in my prayers.
Terry Fox
February 14, 2024
Bear, I'm a better person for having known you. You certainly led by example, always quick to laugh, there to listen, knew what was important in life.
Trent Bush
February 14, 2024
Bear was a staple of the Houston Claims Association. He went out of his way to help people including those who were new to the business and was not afraid to roll up his sleeves and help. He was genuine with people and made them feel welcome.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Watkins
February 14, 2024
Meeting Bear at my first WR event at the CULC. I was a fish out of water for many reasons. Bear and his peers (Phil D.) not only welcomed me at their table, but they also encouraged me to achieve my goals; I did and in 2021 I was recognized at the same venue. Rest easy Bear.
Will Steffek
February 13, 2024
I'll always remember when Hillary and I were kids, Mr. Ferguson tasked us with removing the black lava rocks from their front garden. He said he would pay us one penny for every rock we removed, and Hillary and I spent a day collecting 1000 lava rocks which came out to $10! At the time that was a lot of money to us and Hillary and I went to the convenience store together and splurged on all kinds of fun treats! He helped teach me at a young age how to work hard and enjoy the fruits of my labor! Thank you for all of the fond memories and I'll miss you, Mr. Ferguson!
Mark Mifflin
February 12, 2024
Bear was a great friend and advocate for the Illinois Defense Counsel. We will all miss him. Our condolences to his family and all of his many friends.
Denise Baker Seal
February 12, 2024
Bear, you will be missed by many. You were an amazing human, and I appreciate knowing you and our friendship. Thinking of you and your family.
Matt Jeske
February 12, 2024
Rest in peace Bear! You will be missed on the ESi Team and memories will be cherished by so many that involve the infamous Bear Ferguson.
Joe
February 12, 2024
To set the stage, I met Bear at an industry conference. He and I worked for competitors. If you knew Bear, he did not see it that way. He had zero agenda and only truly cared about helping others. He went out of his way to tell me everything he knew that was happening around the conference to help me. You were truly better for knowing him.
R.I.P Bear, you have more than earned it!
Sherry Jones
February 11, 2024
My first meeting with Bear was before he had married my sister-in-law. They were dating, and he was in town for a family funeral. As people gathered in the lower level of the funeral parlor, and were talking, there were several areas to sit, and I turned to bear and said, why don´t you sit down and rest and he said "no as long as there are women standing , I won´t take a seat." That was my first encounter with the very special, gentleman, and overall wonderful human being that Bear was. We are so honored to have him in our family and have had him in our life, and I know that he will be greatly missed by many many people. My love and prayers go out to Kathy, Hillary, Carissa, and the whole Ferguson family. Heaven has gained a true "southern gent"
Elizabeth Lear
February 11, 2024
Mr. Ferguson was always a welcoming presence in the room. He has been a part of life since I was elementary after meeting his eldest daughter, Hillary. We, along with other neighbors, joined the YMCA's Indian Princesses and went on many daddy-daughter camping trips which eventually turned into family camping trips. He was always the campfire master and told the best stories. Mr. Ferguson also helped me with career advice, especially after I decided to leave the sports setting and switch to the clinical setting as an athletic trainer. He helped me figure out my strengths and how to best Market myself in interviews. I will miss him dearly, as I know many families in the Brookdalr neighborhood will. I send my thoughts and prayers to his family.
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