Timothy D. Ferguson

The services honoring and celebrating the life of Tim D. Ferguson, 86, of Enid, will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the Central Christian Church, under the direction of Brown-Cummings, A Life Celebration Home.

Timothy David Ferguson was born October 16, 1938, to Rev. William Grady and Eleanor Ruth (Hurt) Ferguson in Henryetta, Oklahoma. He passed into God's greatest fishing spot on March 1, 2025, at the age of 86 in Enid, Oklahoma

He lived a life of humble, yet dynamic, social work service. Fishing and family were his favorite life joys.

Tim was the youngest child of the three Ferguson siblings, following Mary Beth and Paul. At the ages of eight and six, the older siblings begged for a baby brother or sister. Once Tim arrived, they apparently had second thoughts. So began his life of self-deprecating humor.

The Southern upbringing in rural Georgia and Oklahoma was simple and productive with hard work for Tim. Moving often for Disciples of Christ pastoral jobs, the family found itself connected by faith, farmland and animals, and service to others. In Georgia, Tim grew tomatoes and sold them out of his red wagon with payment assessed by the scales he brought along. He fondly remembers being dropped off at the University of Georgia football stadium to watch practice and pet the bulldog while his teenaged siblings went on to other social activities. For a lifetime, Tim cheered for the University of Georgia football team, but it never trumped his beloved Oklahoma Sooners.

In Oklahoma, Tim attended the Henryetta public schools where he was an exceptional student and served as student body president for the Class of 1956. He also was an Eagle Scout with the Creek Nation Area Scouting Council, and the first Henryetta Boy Scout to earn the prestigious God and Country award. His three grandsons followed him to Eagle Scout status. As a proud Henryetta Hen, his commitment to school, community and friendships lasted a lifetime

At Henryetta High School, he met his sweetheart for all time. Norma Jean Buzan would become his bride on May 31, 1958. They built a full and fun life in 65 years, even working professionally side by side. Tim was a devoted father to Tamara, born in 1959, and Eric, born in 1963. He was a patient family leader.

Tim's military pursuits with the Army began on June 10, 1956, shortly after graduating from high school. Tim and Norma then went on to attend Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. They shared a duplex with beloved friends Beverly and Jerry Mash. Tim received his Bachelor of Sociology degree that set the trajectory for his career. He initially pursued the ministry, serving as a student pastor in Lahoma and other towns surrounding Enid.

Although the ministry was his full academic intention, Tim decided his more introverted personality was not suited for the pulpit. The State of Oklahoma paid for Tim to attend Tulane University in New Orleans as a Master of Social Work candidate. He graduated in 1964, having served as President of the School of Social Work student body. Most importantly, he returned the favor to Oklahoma by devoting his life to the state, the developmentally disabled and mental health. As a Licensed Social Worker, Tim began work in the Child Welfare Unit of the Department of Human Services in Enid. He served as Supervisor of Social Services and then as Assistant Superintendent of the Enid State School until his retirement in 1987. The Enid State School was home for hundreds of mildly and severely developmentally disabled residents. He later worked as a self-employed consultant in the areas of developmental disabilities and mental health for Billings Fairchild Center and Wheatland Mental Health, working with Billings until shortly before his death.

Tim's leadership included the board of directors for the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Managers. As a gubernatorial appointee, he served on Oklahoma's Advisory Committee on Developmental Disabilities, and was a past chairperson of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma. The "Advocate-Board Member of the Year," presented by the statewide organization of Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (TARC), was one of his honors.

Serving Enid was important to Tim. He was president of the American Business Club (AMBUCS), board member of Central Christian Church, Chairman of the Police Civil Service Commission, and board member of Enid Community Theatre, Hedges Community Speech and Hearing Center and Phillips University Alumni Association.

Duties did not get in the way of Tim's social activities. Golden friends old and new, the "Group", neighbors, Gourmet Group, Sunday School classmates, Henryetta cohorts, and professional colleagues never wavered in importance for Tim. He loved going out to eat with one and all.

It would be remiss not to mention Tim's Honda Pilot recently logged 300,000 miles. This is a testament to his travelling the state for work and pleasure, in addition to his "conservative budgeting." He recently had the vehicle spruced up for the next 100,000 miles.

Tim lived his life with gratitude and simplicity. Gratitude followed him into his final hours. He was very grateful for every individual that played a role in his life.

Tim is survived by his daughter Tamara; son Eric and wife Teresa. His grandchildren are Taylar Ferguson Lentz and husband Casey, Kaitlyn Ferguson, Aubrey Hermen Bussow and husband Mike, Zane Hermen, Noah Ferguson and Ezra Ferguson; two great-grandsons Lincoln and Levi Lentz and one son-in-law Jeff Hermen. He also leaves behind his wonderful sister-in-law, Marcelene and husband Ellis, of Clear Lake, Texas. He held in special and high regard his nieces and nephews, including Lisa Humphrey Mesmer, Laura Humphrey Mahoney, Lanna Humphrey Schelbar, Tina Ferguson, Debbie Ferguson Little, Donna Ferguson Satterly, Kim Kirks Neal, Julie Kirks Escalante, Pam Hurt Duhon, Lou Ann Buzan Orr, Marshall Buzan and their extended families.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Norma parents, Grady and Ruth Ferguson; sister Beth Humphrey, brother Lt. Colonel Paul Ferguson, nephew Bill Ferguson, sisters and brothers-in-law James A. Humphrey, Marilyn Ferguson, Myrtle Lou and Rex Buzan and Susie and Wendy Hurt.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation for the Tim Ferguson Social Work Scholarship Fund or Central Christian Church, with Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as the custodian at 400 W. Maple, Enid, OK 73701.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family online at www.BrownCummings.com.