Gordon L. Ferguson

Gordon L. Ferguson, age 81, of Naperville died on Friday, September 30, 2011. Gordon was born March 25, 1930 in Flora, IL to James W. Ferguson and Andella D. (Scott) Ferguson. On April 20, 1957 he married Miriam L. Neher. Upon graduating from Decatur Illinois High School, Mr. Ferguson went to work for Ford Motor Co., located in Chicago. When the Korean War started, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving with Fighter Squadron 31 at Jacksonville, FL and aboard USS Midway. Upon discharge from the Navy, he attended Indiana Institute of Technology in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1958.He was employed by Chrysler Space Division in Huntsville, Alabama as a contract employee to NASA Marshall Space Century and was assigned to the Space Research working on Saturn Apollo launch vehicles. Mr. Ferguson attended the University of Alabama Graduate School studying Space Mechanics while in Huntsville. When the Apollo Project neared completion, he left Chrysler and went to work for Western Electric Co. in Greensboro, N.C. working on insulation engineering for Army Missile Command Safeguard Project. When the Safeguard Project was cancelled, he was transferred to Naperville, IL and was assigned to a design team at AT&T Laboratory developing electronic switching systems. He retired from AT&T in 1992. He was a life member of the VFW and held the office of District Commander, while living in Hunstville, AL. As a member of VFW Judd Kendall Post 3973 of Naperville, he served as a post officer for many years. He belonged to American Legion Post 43 of Naperville, Kiwanis Evening Club of Naperville. Mr. Ferguson was a member of Community United Methodist Church where he had been active in Methodist Men's Group.He is survived by his wife Miriam Ferguson, Naperville, IL; son Terry of Kankakee, IL, Son Philip (Robin) of St. Joseph, IL, Son Eric (Gill) of Harrogate, England, Grandchildren Andrew, Heather, Nathan and Aaron.Brothers, Robert T. (Shirley) Ferguson of Flora, IL and Charles W.( Barbara) Ferguson of St. Charles, MO along with numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother James, sisters Barbara and Martha. Graveside service will be April 6, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, SR 114 W, North Manchester, IN. Pastor Kevin DeKoninck will officiate. For those who wish to honor the memory of Gordon L. Ferguson, memorial contributions may be made to The Gordon L. & Miriam Ferguson Scholarship Fund at Indiana Institute of Technology, 1600 East Washington Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN 46803. To send a private condolence to the Ferguson family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.