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Harry P. Ferguson, Jr.
Born: May 1, 1930
Died: July 13, 2014
Harry Phillip Ferguson, Jr., 84 of LaGrange Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Born in Hinsdale Illinois, May 1, 1930, to Harry and Ethel Ferguson Harry lived much of his early life in LaGrange, Illinois.
At an early age, Harry accepted Christ and was baptized. Later in life, he redirected his faith as a deacon at Rock of Ages and then after moving to Flossmoor; Harry adopted New Faith Baptist Church International as his church home. He was mentored and accepted as a trustee of the church.
Harry attended Congress Park Grade School and while in 5th grade had a classmate who would later become his lifelong partner, Anna May Romanski. Harry attended and graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange.
Passionate about understanding how things worked he had many interests, such as fly-fishing, ham radios, trains, balsa wood airplanes, boats, boat building, Sailing and just about anything mechanical. Most of Harry's early knowledge was based upon the disassembly of many household items.
Following his father's example, he was also a good baseball player who played first base. Harry ran cross-country and was a football player while at Lyons Township.
Harry studied agriculture for 2 years at University Of Illinois. He eventually enrolled in several technical schools for television and radio repair and various courses in the maintenance and operation of mechanical equipment.
Harry later married Anna Mae Romanski April 10, 1954, beginning a lifelong relationship that produced three children; Janine Karolyn Marshall of LaGrange, Illinois, Harry Phillip Ferguson III of Aurora, Illinois and Dr Robin Leigh Ferguson of Chicago, Illinois. Harry was extremely loving and proud of his three children.
Employed by a urethane foam company in McCook, Harry worked as the plant engineer and secured a patent for a mixing head that vastly improved the manufacturing of urethane foam. He also worked as plant engineer for Campbell's Soup and International Foam prior to becoming an entrepreneur. Harry spent several years pursuing his goal of running his own business. As with anything Harry did, there was no stopping until he succeeded. After many years, Harry established Ferguson's Systems a minority owned Business that specialized in metal fabrication. Harry's, unique skill set developed over many years as a plant engineer and as a young man, disassembling household items was the perfect fit for running a metal fabrication company that specialized in fabrication of plant equipment and the repair of tractor-trailers.
Harry's civic life was centered on his association with the NAACP, serving as president and many years as a board member. The major achievement of the NAACP during this period was the elimination of the "redlining" practices that existed in LaGrange allowing for equal housing. Harry was also active in Boy Scouts and a member of the LaGrange Community Memorial Hospital Board.
He has left precious and fond memories with; children Janine Karolyn Marshal, Harry Phillip Ferguson III and Robin Leigh Ferguson; grandchildren Jordon Alex Thornton-Marshall, Harry Phillip Ferguson IV, Brett Anthony Ferguson, Jarrett O.D. Ferguson, Jalen Alan Woods, and Justin Alexander Woods; Brother Michael Ferguson; Sister Phyllis Sublett; Sister in Law Mildred Romanski; Brother in Law Mitchell Stevens; Sister in Law Mattie Stevens; Brother in Law Leflorn Topps; a host of loving nephews and nieces and loving friend Dorothy Williams.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be given in Harry's and Anna's name to the National Pancreas Foundation 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 700 Bethesda, MD 20814 U.S.A.
pancreasfoundation.org/take-action/donate-to-npf/
Service was July 17, 2014, with the Wake and Repast starting at 10:00 am to 11:00 am , followed by the Funeral at 11:00am to 12:00 pm at the New Faith Baptist Church International. Followed immediately by Private Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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