Carl Webber Ferguson

Carl Webber Ferguson, 83, of Beaumont, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at Harbor Hospice after a brief illness. He was born November 26, 1930 to Carl Dennis Ferguson and Jimmie Lee Chandler Ferguson in Diboll, Texas. Carl graduated from Diboll High School in May 1948 and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Sue George, in April 1951. They both attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, where he earned Bachelor and Master degrees in science and education. The untimely death of his father in 1938 dramatically impacted his early life and development. His family moved into the home of his mother's parents where he was surrounded with the love of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. His mother's siblings and their children became valued extended family and were deeply loved and appreciated. He viewed his college education as a calling and taught chemistry and biology in Beaumont ISD secondary schools for thirty years. He also enjoyed extra-curricular school activities including coaching football and teaching driver's education to interested students. Mr. Ferguson was a member of Westgate Memorial Baptist Church in Beaumont for many years. His love for flowers during retirement motivated Carl to develop a "Flower Ministry" for the church. He planted and cultivated various types of roses, giving a rose on behalf of Westgate Baptist to church members for birthdays, anniversaries, illness or hospitalization. He was forced to abandon this ministry following knee replacement. The three most important things in Mr. Ferguson's life were God, family, and love of country. Mr. Ferguson was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His family visited daily during the several weeks of his hospitalization sharing precious memories. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Mary Sue of Beaumont; son Carl Webber and wife Jana of Dallas; daughter Mary B. Ferguson of Crystal Beach; daughter Lisa and husband Lee Herman of Houston. Carl was an important figure in the lives of his grandchildren who loved him deeply: David Bradford of Galveston; Katherine and Michael Trakhtenbroit of Baltimore, Maryland, Joseph Herman and Mary Helen Herman of Houston. He was the very proud great-grandfather of Ari Trakhtenbroit of Baltimore. While our hearts are broken at the loss of our beloved Pops, we know that he is in Heaven rejoicing with his Savior and celebrating with his family and friends who preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held at Gipson Funeral Home, 1515 S. Chestnut Street in Lufkin, Texas on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by the service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Fielder Memorial Cemetery following the service. Donations in memory of Carl may be made to The Salvation Army, 1500 Austin Street, Houston, Texas 77002, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home