Howard Ferguson

Howard Ferguson, age 82, of Columbus, MS passed away at his residence on September 27, 2022.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 3, 2022, at 11:00 am at Annunciation Catholic Church with Father Jeffery Waldrop officiating. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus.    Visitation will be Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

He was born September 26, 1940, in Cedartown, GA to his parents George Dewey Ferguson and Rosella Keef Ferguson.

Howard graduated from high school after starting his military career and then earned an associates degree.  After 23 years in the Air Force, he retired as Senior Master Sergeant and was retired from The Civil Service as a GS12-Logistics Squadron.  His military career included two tours to Athens, and tours in Greece, Paris France, England, and Thailand.  He was stationed at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, Moody Air force Base in Georgia, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Craig Air Force Base in Alabama, and Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, MS.

He and his wife, JoAnn were owners of the GNC stores in Columbus and Starkville, MS. Together, they were well known for their annual Ferguson open house Christmas parties.  Howard had a huge love for life and was the life of the party everywhere he went.  He loved his church family and his family deeply.  Howard was an avid golfer, a master chef of his own kitchen and enjoyed traveling the country in his motorhome.  He and JoAnn had a wonderful marriage and did everything together.

Howard was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church, was a Eucharistic Minister and Homebound Greeter and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.  He was very active in the community and a member or many organizations and clubs.  He was a member of The AFB Military Affairs, The CAFB Community Council, a  Life Member of VFW Post 4990 (Chaplain), a Life Member of DAV Columbus, MS, a Life Member of the American Legion Post 69, a Life Member of Columbus Air Force Base Association,  a member of The National Association of Federal Employees, a member of Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Starkville Partnership, Friendly City Camping Club, Golden Triangle Boat Association, and The Beta Sigma Phi I Tappa Keg Fraternity. The members of these organizations each influenced his life.  They are all Honorary pallbearers along with other special people in his life: Phillip Long, Art Johnson, Jason Sullivan, Rufus Beason, Charles Moore, Allan Tuttle, Derk Felton, and Andy Kalinowski.

Pallbearers will be Sir Knight, Robin Pecroy, Loronius Jones, Greg Jones, Mike Smith, Joe Haftek, John Love, and Janet Peternal.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Zula Virginia Ferguson and sisters, Sally Floyd and Margaret Wood.  He is survived by his wife of 23 years, JoAnn Ferguson of Columbus; sons, George Ferguson (Kathy) of Columbus, Ret. Lt. Col. USAF Robert C. Walk (Kris) of Phoenix, AZ, Ret. Master Sergeant Donald J. Walk  (Cindy) of Cheyenne, WY, and Thomas M. Walk of Columbus; daughter, Amanda Smith (Gary) of Bessemer, AL; grandchildren Katie Ferguson of Atlanta, GA, Lindsey Smith and Maddy Smith of Dona, AL, Howard Hunter Ferguson of Atlanta, GA, Allison Munsell, Samantha Omdhal, Angie Cousins, Kristi Walk, Katie Walk,  Sean Walk, Bobby Walk, Ryan Walk, Misty Martin and Kate(Jason) Sims; 10 great grandchildren; siblings, David Ferguson (Linda), Harvey Ferguson, Nellie Toole, and Faye Thigpen; special brother in law, Frank Toth; and many special nieces and nephews.

The family of Mr. Ferguson would like to give a special thanks to the Hospice nurses and Home Health nurses, as well as Lisa Dement, FNP, Dr. Bert Borden, Dr Robert Jones, Dr. Karissa Boyd, Dr. Paul Scurti, Dr. Patti Manning, Dr. Zachary Sherman, and Dr. Davis Vargas.