Jim Ferguson

Jim Ferguson, 69, of Albany passed away Thursday, June 20, 2002 at home. He was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah to Stanley and Vilate (Stoker) Ferguson. He graduated from Murray High School in Utah in 1951 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he received an honorable discharge. He attended Colorado State College on an athletic scholarship and then transferred to the University of Utah and studied Human Resources. Jim worked for Kennecott Copper Corporation, a copper refinery, in Salt Lake City, Utah as their Industrial Relations Representative from 1956 to 1968. In 1968 he moved his family to Albany and worked for Teledyne Wah Chang as a personnel representative. In 1971 he was promoted to Personnel Manager and then to Director of Human Resources in 1975. He retired in August, 1995. While living in Utah, Jim was president of the Salt Lake Valley Baseball Improvement League and president and manager of the Utah Babe Ruth League. After moving to Albany he served on the Linn-Benton Foundation Board of Trustees and as president of the Foundation. He was on the Albany General Hospital Board of Directors and was a reading volunteer for elementary schools through the SMART Program. Jim enjoyed his family, woodworking, golf, fishing, and hunting. He was a member of Spring Hill Country Club for 32 years and belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jim married Sharon Hope, August 7, 1991. She survives along with daughter Pausha Peters and son-in-law Tom of Lebanon; step-children Doug and Greta Shelton of Albany and Jim Shelton Jr. of Indiana; grandsons Jeremy and Jason Campbell of Albany; Blake Shelton of Jefferson, and granddaughter Kelsey Shelton of Albany. He is also survived by brother Ken Ferguson of Sweet Home; sister Elaine Stout and brother-in-law Ben of Albany; sister Jean Troyer and brother-in-law Dan of Utah; six nephews; five nieces; and 31 great-nephews and nieces. Father, Stanley preceded him in death May 27, 1984 and mother Vilate on June 11, 2002. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 29 at 10 a.m. at Fisher Funeral Home. To help defray the cost of medical expenses, contributions can be made to Pausha Peters, c/o Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St., SW, Albany, OR 97321 or Benton Hospice Service c/o Fisher Funeral Home.