Eric Ferguson

Eric William Ferguson entered the world on May 13, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the oldest of three sons born to Charles and Florence Ferguson. He grew up in a loving home shaped by Christian values. The Ferguson family attended Trinity Missionary Baptist Church where Eric declared his love of Christ and accepted him as his Savior. He was an active Sunday School member and his love of God, church and family continued throughout his life.

Eric grew up in the tight-knit community of Madisonville where he formed friendships that lasted his entire life. He graduated from Withrow High School in 1955 where he excelled in track. After high school, Eric attended Central State University and once again made life-long friends. Lasting friendships were his trademark as he never met a stranger.

In 1963, Eric attended a freedom rally in Savannah, Georgia to support equal rights for African Americans. He spotted Mary Gail Johnson in the crowd and was introduced to her by mutual friends. Eric said it was “love at first sight”. After a brief long-distance courtship, Eric returned to Savannah to marry Mary Gail. On May 16, 1964, at the Justice of the Peace in Ridgeland, South Carolina they became husband and wife. Eric and Mary Gail headed to Cincinnati where they would spend 50 years together raising a family, building friendships, and serving God until her death in 2014.

Eric and Mary Gail became the loving parents of two children, Tauana Ann Ferguson (McDonald) and Eric Julian Ferguson. Eric loved his children unconditionally and was a wonderful father. He worked hard to ensure that his children were able to follow their dreams.

Early in his adult life Eric sold insurance for Western Southern Life. Anyone who knew him would not be surprised that he spent time in sales due to his ability to connect with people. After leaving the insurance industry, Eric joined General Motors where he worked until he retired. Unable to sit still, in his later years he dedicated his time and energy to working as a teacher’s aide at Life Skills school.

There is a saying that if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. Eric served parties from a young age into his seventies, and he did not consider it work but his passion. His father did it, passed it down to Eric who passed it down to his own son. He loved it because it gave him an opportunity to meet people, he was good at it, and it helped him support his family. Eric also loved sports which he shared with his son Julian. Eric was most passionate about his relationship with God and his church Allen Temple AME. Eric served as a steward for several years and attended bible study. He rarely missed a Sunday before he became ill.

Eric was fortunate to find love twice in his life. In his later years Eric and Dorothy Taggert formed a loving bond that they both cherished. Dorothy and her family brought joy to his life and were a blessing to him.

On August 25, 2023, Eric received his angel wings and went home to be with the Lord. For the duration of his illness he endured with faith, dignity, and grace. Although he will be sorely missed by his family and friends, all can take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace and reunited once again with Mary Gail and Eric Julian. Eric is survived by his daughter Tauana McDonald (Columbus, OH); his son-in-law, Frederick McDonald (Columbus, Ohio); his grandchildren Trey McDonald (Ann Arbor, MI) and Erica McDonald (New Brunswick, NJ); his brothers Michael Ferguson (Sharon), Wooster OH and Gerald Ferguson (Emma), Upper Marlboro Maryland; a host of brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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