James Ferguson

James “Jim” C. Ferguson, 72, left this earthly life on August 6, 2015, surrounded by his family. Jim was born at St. Anthony’s Hospital September 16, 1942, the first born son of George “Connie” Ferguson and Nancy (Stone) Ferguson. He grew up in Del City and was a member of First Southern Baptist Church. He gave his life to Jesus at age 10. He had a lifelong love of golf, fishing and cars and was a very hard worker with an entrepreneurial spirit. His first enterprise was a shoeshine business at age 14. Jim graduated from Del City High School, Class of 1960, and then studied Advertising Design at the University of Oklahoma. He married Priscilla Whalen in 1961, and together they had a son, Scot. He was a talented artist, becoming Art Director at the Oklahoma Press Association two years later. Subsequent to leaving OPA, he owned his own design studio. In 1967 he was named AVP and Art Director at The Phillips Agency in Tulsa, receiving numerous graphics and design awards along the way. At the advice of a friend, he made a career change and entered the securities industry, becoming a stockbroker with Paine Webber. In 1980, he married Yvonne Hemphill, and instantly inherited a large extended family. Jim rapidly moved up the corporate ladder, becoming a turnaround specialist, which sent the two of them to California for several years in several different cities. They had two sons, Cameron and Connor. He was named Senior Vice President in 1985, and was with the company for 20 years. In 1996, Jim returned to Oklahoma to be near family. After a long and illustrious career, he retired in Norman in 2004. A diehard OU and Thunder fan, he enjoyed going to games with his sons, especially their annual Thunder game at Christmas. Jim was a talker – he loved debating everything from sports trades and politics to the state of the economy. He loved to travel (especially Hawaii) and loved spending time with his sisters and their husbands. He was preceded in death by his parents, Connie and Nancy Ferguson, brother-in-law Edward Carter, and one grandson, Eric Ferguson. Survivors include his three sons, Scot Ashley Ferguson of Hampton, Virginia, James Cameron Ferguson (Crystal), of Oklahoma City, and Jason Connor Ferguson, of Norman, sister Kay Carter, Norman, OK, brother Frank (Penny), Del City, OK, sister Carolyn Johnson (Clyde), Grand Prairie, TX, numerous nieces and nephews, and his three grandchildren Jessica, Evan and Elliott with whom he had a special bond, and five great-grandchildren.