James Edward Ferguson

James Edward Ferguson, age 85 went to be with our lord and savior on Monday, August 21, 2023 after a short illness. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 24th at Phillips & Luckey funeral home in Rockdale from 5:00-8:00 pm. Services will be held on Friday, August 25th at 2:00 at Phillips & Luckey with burial followed at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale with Brother Billy Edwards officiating.
James was born on December 19, 1937 in Brookeland, Texas in the piney woods of East Texas. He was the oldest son of Thomas Selmer Ferguson and Lawis Key Barrington. James was the Valedictorian of Brookeland High school. Upon graduation he enlisted in the army and was stationed in White Sands, New Mexico.
While in the army, he met and married Gloria Vigil on November 20, 1958; they were blessed with 62 years of marriage. To this union, two daughters were born; Geri Lynn and Cheryl Wynne. James worked at his Dad's filling station in Jasper upon moving back to Texas. In 1965, he moved his family to Rockdale and started Barrington & Son's Auto Parts doing business with his mother, step-father, and brother Tom. In 1994, they sold the parts stores and transitioned to the after-market paint industry, opening Tasco Auto Color. Tasco grew to over 40 locations, with multiple business entities under it, and won countless awards from PPG Paint while servicing body shops across the United States.
Those that knew James, knew his work was his driving force; in fact he worked up until the day he was hospitalized, nothing slowed him down. If he wasn't at work, you'd catch him on the phone, always tending to business. His keen business sense and charismatic personality, as well as the ability to lead, with his words and eyes, made an impression on many. He enjoyed playing golf and was a charter member of the Rockdale Country Club, where his friends called him Fergie. James earned the title of Gaga in 1985 and his grandchildren/ great grandchildren were the light of his life. James was a member of First Christian Church. In 2018 James purchased some river property on the San Gabriel River in Rockdale and you could find him out there every weekend piddling around on his skid steer.
James is preceded in death by his wife Gloria, his parents Selmer & Lucille Ferguson and Lawis & Charlie Barrington, his in-laws Frank & Esoila Vigil, his beloved aunt Bessie Ferguson, brothers Tom Ferguson and Jerry Ferguson, sister Barbara Ryan, and numerous brother & sister in-laws.
He is survived by his children Geri & Shawn Alexander of Rockdale and Cheryl & David Urbanovsky of Crawford. Grandchildren Brooksy & Colby Fisher, Haley Davidson, Brittany & Cotey Bowman, Ashley & Colson Ballard, and John James & Bailey Urbanovsky. Great-grandchildren Paisly & Owen Fisher; Oliver, Adeline, & Asher Bowman; and Autumn & William Ballard. Step- granddaughter Samantha Alexander. Sisters Terry Jo Eddy and Wanda Jean Leone. As well as numerous nieces and nephews, friends, business associates, and customers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian Church - 231 Burleson, Rockdale, TX 76567 or the American Cancer Society - an organization that was dear to his heart.