Henry H Ferguson, Jr

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February 14, 1943 – March 2, 2020

Henry Hillard Ferguson, Jr., 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2020 at Lifetouch Hospice in El Dorado, Arkansas. He was born February 14, 1943 in El Dorado to Henry Hillard Ferguson and Helen Maxine Taunton Ferguson.
Henry was a 1961 graduate of El Dorado High School. He participated in football, baseball, basketball, and track. After high school, he attended Southern State College Southern Arkansas University. He played baseball in the minor leagues, but due to injuries his baseball career fell short.
Henry was with the 7th Army of the 1st Cavalry, where he served in the Vietnam War from 1968-1969. He was a spotter in a “Loach” helicopter and was shot down five times. He received a Bronze Star and was very proud to fight for our country.
Henry worked in the boat industry for over 20 years. He worked for CADC in Hampton, Arkansas for 9 years and retired in 2008.
Henry was an active member of the VFW, where he once served as the commander. He enjoyed playing pool with his buddies at the VFW “hut”. If he wasn’t there, you could find him relaxing at the farm. He was a social butterfly who never met a stranger. He loved spending time with his family and friends.
Henry is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Gwen Ferguson; two daughters, Traci Pendergrass of Hot Springs, and “Henri” Hillary Heaberlin (Jeff) of Bryant; two granddaughters, Presli and Malori Pendergrass, both of Fayetteville; two stepdaughters, Mia Conway of Camden, and Tia Johnson (David) of Strong; one stepson, Todd Darden of North Little Rock; his beloved fur baby, Ali; and a special cousin, Martha Dunn.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Henry touched are invited to Young’s Funeral Home for visitation Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 6, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Young’s Chapel with Mike Dumas officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the El Dorado VFW, 451 Industrial Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online memorial can be found at www.youngsfuneralhome.com

Henry wrote 09/26/10:

I was told by my parents years ago, there would be days like this, but this will not happen to me!  Well guess what reality has set in.  I have a lot things that don't work any more!  I did not know I was so smart at one time but I can't remember what they were. Sixty-Five old back then was an old man.  Ha, Ha
State Champions 1958 will not be on the back of Scoreboard - no more.

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Biography:

After high school, I enrolled at Southern State College in Magnolia.  I commuted for about 3 or 4 years.  I was working at the Boys Club where I was an umpire and referee.  Then I went to work for ElDO Craft Boat Co. in Smackover.  I was working part time and going to college.  I did go to Florida to try out for a major league baseball team.  I threw my arm away, so I came home.

I went back to work at the boat co.  I would work a semester to pay for my college.  I would work for about 6 months then go back to college.

During one of my 6 months not working, Uncle Sam said we need you.  So I was drafted in 1968.  I went to basic training at Fort Campbell, KY, then AIT training at Fort Knox, KY.  At Fort Knox I was a map reader in an ATV [All Terrain Vehicle].  My MOS was 11D which is recon.  When I reported back to Fort Knox they informed me that my MOS had changed from 11D to 11D4F.  I asked what did 4F mean, they broke the news to me that I would be in a helicopter.  I told them I was from south AR, never been in a helicopter.  They said welcome to the US Army.

I did get to go on a cruise for 19 days.  This is where I got my training in a helicopter.  It was so embarrassing because I did not even know how to get in that little helicopter.  All the other people in my unit had been in training for a year or longer.

I was with the 7th of the 1st Air Cavalry.  Our main mission was to look for enemy troops.  We were a scout platoon.  We just went looking for trouble.  I was shot down 5 times in Viet Nam.  So I was very fortunate to get back in one piece.  I spent 364 days in Viet Nam.

I  tell everybody that I was shell shocked in my first marriage because I got back on Jan. 29,1969 and got married Feb. 8, 1969.  We did have 2 daughters.

I went back to work at the boat co.  I was in sales, I became Sales Mgr.  I set up accounts with Sears, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Spiegel, Gibson, Howard Bros. and many regular boat dealers throughout the US. Later I became Sales Mgr. for Rhyan-Craft Boat Co. in El Dorado. After all the boat companies, I even went into business in Warren, AR building aluminum tool boxes.  I invested money into this business.  I also had a heart attack during this little venture.

During this time I married my wife that I stay with now.  We have been married 10 years, and she still puts up with me.

I went to work for CADC [Central AR Development Council].  After working with CADC 9 years I retired in 2008.  I retired at the age of 65.  I knew it was time.  After retirement, I don’t do anything.  I like every bit of doing nothing.  My hand is getting tired so this is the end of my story.  I do know one thing it is hell to get old.  I ache in places that I didn’t even know I had places.

Thanks,  Henry

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