Austin Darel Ferguson

     Austin Darel Ferguson was born on 23 January 1923 Huntsdale, Boone County, Missouri.² He was the son of Austin Victor Ferguson and Brooxie May Hunt.¹ Austin and Lucille Helen Long were married 23 January 1946 Columbia, Missouri.² Austin Darel Ferguson died 9 July 2009, in Columbia, Boone County, Missouri at age 86 years, 5 months and 16 days.²

Austin "Darrell" Ferguson will be remembered for his strong Christian faith, the positive example he set for his children and community members, and his years of service as a bible teacher in Columbia.
Mr. Ferguson, of Columbia, died Thursday, July 9, 2009. He was 85.
He was born Jan 23, 1924, in Huntsdale to Austin Victor and Brooxie Mae Hunt Ferguson.
After graduating from Hickman High School, he enrolled at MU for one year before joining the Army in 1943. He served as a sergeant in an Army communications division during World War II, where he took part in the Normandy invasion and was awarded three bronze stars and a good conduct medal.
When Mr. Ferguson returned home, he married Lucille (Long) Ferguson on Jan. 23, 1946, in Columbia.
He met Lucille after going on a blind double-date in which he and Lucille were paired with other people. After the date, Mr. Ferguson was more enamored with Lucille than his date, so he called her back instead.
He worked in retail sales briefly upon returning from World War II, managed College Bookstore, and worked as a salesman for Weylan Office Supply before founding his own office supplies business, Columbia Office Supply, in the late 1950s.
Mr. Ferguson was an active member of Columbia's religious community. He helped found four churches, including Bethany Baptist Church, Grace Bible Church, Open Door Baptist Church and Oakland Baptist Church; conducted bible services in area correctional facilities; was a deacon and Sunday school teacher; and served as treasurer for Grace Bible Church for more than 45 years.
"Most of his life was wrapped up in Christian service," his son Roy Ferguson said. "Dad went where he was needed and helped to start churches."
Mr. Ferguson was also an avid coon hunter and fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri Tigers.
Mr. Ferguson is survived by his wife; three sons, Roy Ferguson of Emporia, Kan., Ron Ferguson of Columbia and Rick Ferguson of Boise, Idaho; six grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.
A brother, Otho Ferguson, and two sisters, Francis Snodgrass and Mary Margaret Roddy, died earlier.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel and burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Oakland Baptist Church or the American Heart Association, c/o Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 N. Garth Ave., Columbia, MO 65202.
Online tributes may be posted at bachyager.com.

-- James Ostler² and was buried Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia, Missouri.
     Austin and Lucille had three children, Rick, Ron, and Roy.