Bernard (Barney) Fergus

Bernard (Barney) James Fergus of Harrells and originally Virginia died January 21, 2018, at the age of 74. Barney was preceded in death by his parents Howard E. Fergus and Margaret M. Dougherty and one grandchild. He leaves behind his beloved wife Shirley Helen Fergus of the home, a brother Howard Fergus (Kim) of Virginia, a step-daughter Emily Castleberry (Robby) of North Carolina, two grandsons, Cody J.W. Darlington and Dustyn E. A. Darlington both of Florida, a great grandson Carter Jace Bennett Darlington of Florida, two nephews Bradley Fergus (Nina) and Colin Fergus (Kate) both of Maryland, two great nieces Paige and Brooke Fergus of Maryland, his best friend Phil Pontak of Ammon, and his faithful constant companion dog Susie Q. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home. A Memorial service will follow the visitation at 2:00 pm with Rev. Jim Woodruff officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family, Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home for assistance with funeral services or A Shelter Friend, PO Box 2983, Elizabethtown, NC 28337. Barney worked all of his life in one capacity or another. After graduating from Arundel High School in 1961, he enlisted in the United States Army on Active Duty from August 1961 to August 1964 with his basic training completed in Ft. Jackson, SC. Barney was with the 24th Infantry Division and he has enjoyed keeping in touch with his military unit and those that he knew while enlisted. He loved being able to attend his Unit and High School reunions no matter where they were held. After the military he went into corrections and served 20 years where he retired as a Correctional Officer for Patuxent Institution in Jessup, Maryland. Once he retired, Barney, his wife and daughter relocated in Harrells where he held many jobs. He was a handyman at Lakeside Campground and White Lake Beach, a log truck driver, a security guard at Smithfield Packing ( 2nd retirement) and a delivery driver for Advance Auto Parts in Elizabethtown where he was 9 months shy of his 3rd retirement. Through all these jobs, he met and was loved by so very many people. It was always said that no matter where he went he could always find someone he knew even if it was in a different country and it was true! As an avid cruiser he enjoyed the sights and sounds of many different countries on many different ships and he did several times meet people he had already known over there. Barney never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone about anything. Barney was also an expert Genealogist. He and Shirley have been enjoying photographing and cataloging cemeteries in many states, almost finishing all of Bladen County and they have been doing it for over 40 years. They have helped to put census's from Ellis Island on line from the 1800's and have had people to contact them from other countries for help in finding their ancestors. Trapsing through many cemeteries and spending hours in county court houses over dusty ledgers and microfiche documents. They never said no to someone who asked for help because they believed that even in death people live on in those who come after them and that their stories are just as relevant today as they were when those people were alive. Barney could tell you ancestry stories of many people and especially his own ancestry back to County Cork Ireland and was proud of his Scot-Irish descent, however his red hair and fair skin did cause him grief over the years. Barney also loved animals of all kinds and had many over his lifetime from his first dog named Jojo Fart Lap & The Gap, a horse names Roger and many other dogs and cats. They loved to rescue and it was said that somewhere invisibly on their home is a sign that reads "All Stray's Welcomed Here." As it never failed that there would always be one showing up on one of their porches looking for a soft hand and warm heart and they never went away without finding it. Barney leaves a hole in the hearts of many. Stories and antidotes with him in the forefront are many. Everyone has a story to tell about Barney. Even his nicknames tell of an awesome life from Barney Fife, Maryland Jailer, Buzzard Beak, Snarly Ol' Goat Dude, Fred and many more. Life may go on without him in it but will most definitely never be the same for the world and those left behind.