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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.
Evalena (Teal) Burnham
Evalena (Teal) Burnham
Evalena (Teal) Burnham passed away on March 2, 2026, peacefully. She was born on Nov. 16, 1941 in Winner, S.D., the youngest of 12 siblings. She was married for 45 years to Paul Burnham. They lived on the family farm in Millboro, S.D., for a few years, but settled down in Allen, Neb. She went to nursing school and got her LPN license. She worked in the rehab department at the hospital, Elms Nursing Home, and was a traveling nurse with Tristate Nursing.
She had six children, 16 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren, of which she knew all their names and date of birth.
After her husband’s passing, she moved to SunBird Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz., in 2005 to be with her sister who recently lost her husband. She was heavily involved in the Chandler Lions Club; she loved working with the kids. She was family-oriented and spent as much time as she could with them. Even after retiring, she continued to be a caregiver for several people and picked up kids from school. If she wasn’t working or doing something for the Lions, she was playing cards, reading, putting a puzzle together, or at a casino. Every Sunday morning you could find her attending church service.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
Come help us celebrate her life on April 19 at 1 p.m. in the ballroom at SunBird Golf Resort. A small meal will be served.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Chandler Lions Club, P.O. Box 361, Chandler, AZ 85224.
Vivienne Johnson
Vivienne Johnson
Vivienne Nadine (Kearby) Johnson passed away peacefully on Jan. 18, 2026, at the age of 104. Born on Dec. 5, 1921 in Fort Worth, Texas, Vivienne lived a life full of faith, service, and love.
A devoted educator, Vivienne earned degrees in Elementary Education and Remedial Reading and dedicated her professional life to teaching. Her passion for literacy and learning eventually led her to become a school administrator where she served as District Reading Coordinator and Director of Elementary Curriculum.
Vivienne married Elvis Johnson on Dec. 13, 1941. They enjoyed 62 years of love and companionship before Elvis’s passing in 2003.
Upon retirement, Vivienne and Elvis moved to Arizona. They first settled in a golf community in Queen Valley, but in 1993 moved to SunBird Golf Resort in Sun Lakes. At that time they became members of First Baptist Church Sun Lakes where they remained active members until their passing.
Vivienne is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
Peter T. Grillo
Peter T. Grillo
Peter T. Grillo, of Exton, Pa., and Chandler, Ariz., passed away on Jan. 8, 2026, at the age of 82.
Pete, or Tim as some called him, was a devoted father. He is survived by his two children, Alexandra and Peter; his wife, Audrey; his brother, Anthony; and other loved ones.
Pete was born Feb. 16, 1943. He was a graduate of Harriton High School in Lower Merion. He attended Villanova University and also served in the United States Marine Corps.
He spent his childhood summers at the New Jersey shore, where he also lifeguarded as a young adult. Pete had a passion for cars ever since he was a little boy. This passion led him to become a Jaguar Club member in the ’60s and ’70s, where he and Audrey would spend their free time racing at Bridgehampton, N.Y., and Lime Rock Park, Conn.
Pete excelled as a salesman in many different fields. He ultimately found his calling working for Mercedes-Benz, where he enjoyed a 40-year career before moving on to Jaguar and Land Rover.
Pet loved racing cars, attending car shows, auto auctions, and flying. Pete was happiest when behind the wheel. Later in life he enjoyed taking friends and neighbors to and from the airport, or anywhere else they needed to go. Pete was quick witted and cracking jokes, even in his final days.
Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or your local SPCA.