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Christian Ferguson Obituary
East Lansing
Mr. Christian "Coach" Ferguson passed away on Wednesday December 3, 2014 at the age of 73. He was a lifelong resident of Lansing. He graduated from Sexton High School where he played on the 1959 Class A Basketball State Championship team where he was captain and MVP. He attended Michigan State University where he played on the 1961-62 men's basketball team. Chris was also a US Marine Corps veteran serving in Vietnam as a machine gunner. He was fondly known as "Coach". His coaching career in basketball started in Los Angeles and continued at East Lansing High School where he was head coach from 1989-2001. He also coached at the Boys and Girls Club and was the assistant coach at Sexton High School where they went on to win two state championships. He had a general love of sports including golf, tennis, football and he was also an avid card player.
Chris is survived by his wife Joy: daughter, Tiffani; son, Quinn; grandson, Jalen Turner; brother, Joel Ferguson; special brother-in-law, Gregory Eaton; sisters-in-law, Dr. Surae Eaton-Sangster and Erma Ferguson; brother-in-law, Tyrone Sangster; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and special friend, Anna Strong. He is preceded in death by his mother, Josephine Wharton; father, Rollin Ferguson; and brother, Brian Ferguson.
Mr. Ferguson will lie in repose Tuesday, December 9, 9am-3pm, at the Riley Funeral Home, 426 W. St. Joseph St. The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 9, 6-8 pm, at the church as well as one hour prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 12pm, at Friendship Baptist Church, 2912 Pleasant Grove Rd., Lansing. Memories and condolences may be shared at rileyfuneralhome.com. For those wishing to make contributions, they may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing at www. bgclansing.org in the name of Christian S. Ferguson.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Christian Ferguson
Bill
January 28, 2024
I was a child raised by a teenage mother, so when I met Chris and Joel when I was probably about 12 years old and played basketball for him at Union Baptist church.
He is an incredible human being, who helped by providing a positive black male role model, since I did not have a father and I´m still Very much aware of the lessons that I learned from him because he provided me a role model of a black man that could be strong, proud kind and successful. That is stuck with me throughout my entire life.
Dr. Lizzie Thomas
December 1, 2019
Chris is still remembered and part of our conversations as he had been during our MSU years and all these years after that. He is a very special person to us.
Carmella Davis
December 16, 2014
RIH Chris. The Ferguson Family are in our hearts and prayers. You and your Family have always been kind and loving to our Family and you will be missed.
- Carmella Davis and the entire Davis Family.
December 15, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jerilyn Cross Lynn
December 13, 2014
So sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful person. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Tiffani Ferguson
December 11, 2014
On behalf of the Ferguson/Eaton family we would like to express our deepest gratitude for everyone's prayers, cards, flowers, phone calls and presence in the passing of our Superman "Coach" Chris Ferguson. To the staff at Sparrow and The Willows, Thank you. To all of the those who took time out of your busy schedules to speak such kind words at his Homecoming. Tom Izzo, Mayor Benero, President Lou Ann Simon, Tony Baltimore, A'Lynne Boles, Carlton Valentine, Doug Herner and Gary Ganakas. Thank you Riley Funeral Home for your professionalism. Thank you Friendship Baptist Church for such a Beautiful service. The family thanks everyone from the bottom of our hearts!
ynne Boles, Carlton Valentine, Doug l
Herner and Gary Ganakas. To Riley Funeral home for your professionalism, to Friendship Baptist church for such a Beautiful service. We Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Thank you for the excellent care he received.
Betty Joplin
December 11, 2014
My Condolences to the Ferguson Family. I'm sorry to hear of Chris' passing. May The Peace of God surround you and give you Comfort. God Bless you.
Petra Waters
December 10, 2014
Dear Mrs. Ferguson, it was my privelege to meet you & your husband. Take care during this difficult time.
Mark Farhat
December 10, 2014
To Joel Ferguson and family.I am sorry for your loss.May God bless Christian and your family.Mark Farhat
Ferm Badgley
December 10, 2014
A great basketball player and even better person. Chris always greeted you with a sincere smile and a kind word. You will be missed my friend, may you rest in peace.
December 10, 2014
Joy, Quinn,Tiffany and Joel,
May I extend the most sincere condolences of the Boone family. The loss of Chris leaves a cavernous hole in the fabric of the greater Lansing community. For more than half a century he has played a significant role in the lives and conversations of the Black community. Even during those California years, no conversation about the city's sports heroes was complete without a discussion of his performances at Sexton and that state championship team. In the years since his return he did nothing but add to what has clearly become a community legend.We will miss him, but his legacy will surely live on.
Mildred " Millie FluNu" Flournoy-Robinson
December 10, 2014
Since My Michigan State University years, Chris was always one of my favorite people. I thank God for bringing him into my life and letting him be my friend.
Dr. Lizzie M. Thomas
December 9, 2014
One of my Michigan State University's favorite "running buddies," Chris will be missed and remembered by me for so many, many good things--from partying to serious studying. My prayers are that God comfort us all in knowing that he was a positive force in our lives.
Cleo McFadden
December 9, 2014
Joy,I am so sorry to hear about your loss,my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cleo McFadden
December 9, 2014
So sorry to hear of your loss,my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill Losen
December 9, 2014
Classmate and friend, you will be missed. Many fond memories of playing ball with Chris. Like Bryan you left us much too soon. My condolences to your family.
Karole White
December 9, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ferguson family.
Please accept our heat felt condolences. From the Michigan Association of Broadcasters
Bob Baldori
December 9, 2014
He was a wonderful guy. Made you feel better about the world every time you talked to him. What a loss.
Demetrius Jackson
December 9, 2014
He was a great uncle I can never forget .....love you always nephew Demetrius Jackson Sr. I Know your in a better place R.I.P
Lisa Piper
December 9, 2014
Tiffany and Family - My sincerest condolences on your loss. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Betty Nixon & Family
December 8, 2014
Heartfelt condolences to the family. Chris was coach and mentor to my sons and grandsons and a genuine family friend. God Bless the Ferguson family.
Deborah Suddth
December 8, 2014
Joy, Quinn, Tiffani, the Ferguson & Eaton Families, please accept the Sudduth Family's heartfelt condolences on the Homegoing of Chris.
Everytime I saw him he had a big smile on his face. I was lucky enough to have played bid with him a few years ago.
Chris will be truly missed in and around the Lansing Community, but it will not compare to the loss you, his family will experience. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Know that you are all wished God's peace and blessings during this difficult time. Our family will be praying for you in the days to come.
Rest in Heaven, Chris!
James Davis
December 8, 2014
My sincere condolences to the Ferguson family. Chris Ferguson was a man of integrity and honor. The greater Lansing community was blessed by his presence and contributions to our well being, and the well being of our youth, for all of these years. He will be greatly missed, but not forgotten.
Cedric Harris
December 8, 2014
He was a great man, through some of the darkest days in my life he and the late Fred Tripp would visit me and offer words of encouragement and support. My condolences to the family. Praying for you and your family Quinn.
Bobby Wilcox
December 7, 2014
With a smile and personality that was impossible not to like, came a toughness inside that was unbelievable. People like Chris are gifts to us. He gave out much, much more than he received. Boy do we miss these gems! Prayers go out to his family. We honor him by never forgetting.
anita (barnett) taylor
December 7, 2014
My condolences to Joy and family. I'll truly miss my friend and classmate. Though in pain, i was able to get a big chuckle out of him while describing our most recent class reunion. Thanks Chris for the positive influence you've had on young people in lansing.
Grady Walker
December 7, 2014
My condolences go out to the Ferguson family.Coach was a good friend who did many wonderful things for my family and many others. He will be truly missed.
Grady Walker, Jr.
Gordon Deshazer
December 7, 2014
I never met Mr ferguson ..bet I heard many great things about him.. But I know Quinn and my heart goes out to you and your family.. The DeShazers
Dr. Brenda Virkstis-OBrien
December 7, 2014
We all grew up in the same neighborhood...Kingsley Court, Huron St., and Kalamzoo St. The Ferguson boys were the basketball stars at JW Sexton HS. My friend Greg Eaton, was the wrestling champ...my what a collection of good souls surrounded us during those magical school days. Chris you have gone too soon, and your legacy will live on with your children and grandchild. RIP Chris.
Howard Evans
December 7, 2014
I was sadden to read about the passing of Chris. My heart felt sympathy goes out to the Ferguson Family.
Rick Gouthro
December 7, 2014
I recently had a chance to sit with Chris before he passed. What I remember most of all, is although he was in terrible pain he just wanted to know how my son Justin was doing. He was a great listener and a very caring person. Although I only shared a few hours of one on one time with Chris in the last couple of months, I will remember that he loved his son "Q" and he treasured the times playing golf with him and when he no longer could play golf, always was out on the course watching his son and smiling as "Q" expressed his emotions on a bad shot. Our deepest sympathy to his family and know that Chris touched a lot of lives in a positive manner. He will be missed.
John Motherwell
December 7, 2014
My prayers and condolences to the family. Count myself to have known him. I wouldn't be coaching today without people like Coach Ferguson. . .
Jim Harsha
December 7, 2014
Chris thank you for being my friend we will miss you Jim and Diane
Dr Brenda Virkstis-OBrien
December 7, 2014
Childhood friend, Sexton classmate and a true gentle man. RIP Chris!
mike long
December 7, 2014
A special person in my life and many more. The memories are all positive. Yes, he made a difference in the world. Mike Long
Jim Trebilcock
December 7, 2014
I'm so sorry that Chris is gone. He was one of the people I always looked forward to seeing and talking with. A great guy who will be missed. I'm out of town and sorry I cant' be there for the services.
Jim and Diane Harsha
December 7, 2014
Thanks for being a friend you will be missed.
December 7, 2014
Our deepest regrets to the Family-Rest in Peace.
C.Dennis Davenport Family
Miami Beach,Florida
December 6, 2014
A fine man on every level.Wes Youngblood
Bob Every
December 6, 2014
Chris...I for sure will miss that great smile and the positive words that came from you every time we talked. Your influence on this community and the thousands of kids who grow up here through your mentoring everyday is something that can never be replaced. Your impact on this town will resonate for ever as those who were touched by your love an influence is passed on through countless generations. Goodbye my friend...you may be gone away but you will never...ever be forgotten.
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