Earl Eugene Ferguson
Earl Eugene Ferguson
Earl Eugene Ferguson, former Klamath Falls, Ore., resident, joined his wife,Barbara “Jane” Ferguson, in heaven after 94 years on April 15, 2026, in Chandler, Ariz. Earl is survived by his daughter Rebecca Morgan (Greg) of Queen Creek, Ariz.; son, Mel Ferguson (Renee) of Klamath Falls, Ore.; brother, Nolan Ferguson of Salem, Ore.; eight grandchildren (McKay, Katie, Lane, Kyle, Clark, Jeff, Jillian, and Rob); 22 great-grandchildren; and his care providers Julie Snyder, Diane Mulliken, and Mary Botros. Earl was preceded in death by his wife, five brothers, and his parents.
Earl was born on March 24, 1932, in Sparks, Okla. As a child he picked cotton in Oklahoma and shined shoes in southern California. Eventually his parents settled in Weston, Ore., where he graduated as Valedictorian of the 1950 Senior Class. While in high school he lettered in varsity football, basketball, and baseball. As a high school student he worked at Elliott’s Hardware, which is the location of the current Long Branch Cafe & Saloon. It’s in high school that he met the love of his life, Jane Gordon. They married after Jane graduated from high school and were married 71 years.
Earl earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Oregon and doctorate (Ed.D) from Oregon State University. Following graduation from college, Earl served as a personnel officer in the U.S. Air Force achieving the rank of Captain with assignments in Arizona, Texas, and Clark Air Base, Philippines.
After his Air Force service Earl returned home to Weston, Ore., and served as a high school teacher, coach, and superintendent. “Dr. Ferguson” began his ascent up the school administrative ranks eventually settling in Klamath Falls, Ore., where he served as superintendent of the Klamath Falls City Schools from 1966-1990. Dr. Ferguson was known for his strict fiscal responsibility but also lobbying taxpayers for well reasoned bond measures so students had good facilities and excellent teachers.
Dr. Ferguson was recognized by his peers for his involvement in Oregon K-12 education. He served on the board and served as President of the Oregon School Activities Association, and later on the board and as President of the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators. Dr. Ferguson was then elected to the board of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and served as its national president for the 1986 to 1987 academic year.
Following Earl and Jane’s retirement in 1990, they acquired a second home at SunBird Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz., where they golfed and laughed with and entertained friends. Earl was a founding member of the SunBird Golf Club by helping SunBird residents acquire the golf course from major Arizona developer Edward J. Robson.
Jane and Earl loved to travel and take cruises. They visited Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Far East. They played as hard in retirement as they worked in their professional lives. Both Jane and Earl took pride in their grandchildren and loved to spoil them with special treats and time at their mountain cabin. Several years ago Earl was chosen as the King of the Umatilla County, Ore., Pioneer Days.
Memorial services were held at Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater, Ore., on April 29 with concluding service at the Weston, Oregon Pioneer Cemetery. Earl and Jane were both strong believers that high school students should continue their education after graduation in order to better themselves. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Earl and Jane Ferguson Scholarship Fund through the Oregon Community Foundation, which supports graduating Klamath County, Oregon high school seniors or the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, which supports Weston-McEwen High School graduating seniors. Donations may be made directly or through the funeral home.