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James Daniel Ferguson, 47, of Ft. Worth, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2002, after a 36-year battle against Type 1 Diabetes and its related complications.
James was born Nov. 15, 1954 in Wichita Falls, TX to James H. Ferguson and Wilma Engle Ferguson and belonged to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1973 and earned his BS degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from Midwestern State University where he was active in the International Professional Business Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi. James was also a Freemason, belonging to the Masonic Lodge 635 in Wichita Falls. He formerly served as a Lieutenant and Chief Jailer for the Wichita County Sheriff's Dept. and was an Emergency Medical Technician.
After moving to Fort Worth in 1986, James taught as a substitute teacher in the Fort Worth ISD the last several years of his life. He was also an avid collector of scale model railroad trains and an expert modeler with special interest in military modeling and military history.
Survivors include his Father and step-mother, James H. and Alta R . Ferguson of Fort Worth; two sisters, Laurie D. Ferguson Cummings and husband Brad, of Edmond, OK; and Linda M. Lankford of New Braunfels, TX; one step-sister, Lisa A. Miller of Fort Worth. James is preceded in death by his mother Wilma Engle Ferguson in 1985, his brother Carl Bruce Landford in 1965, and step-brother, Walter Mosley of Fort Worth.
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Ronnie D. McBride
I knew James during School. He was Smart as a Whip!. He and I attended ROTC with Sargent-Major Van Horn as our Commandant. James excelled in every subject and I thought the he would be headed to West Point. I did not know that James was a Type 1 Diabetic. I knew something was wrong because i went to his home once or twice and he lived a Sheltered life outside of school. When i Graduated from Old High, I moved from Wichita to Sherman, where all of family lived. I have been through Wichita Falls over the years But never in contact with any School-Mates because they wouldnt know me anyway. Ironically, James loved Model Trains and After college I went to work for the Union Pacific RaiRoad and I'm still working. I married a beautiful girl in 1977 and 12 years into our lives together, My wife became a Type 1 Diabetic. Luckily for Deborah, management is so much more advanced now. James had to guess how much Insulin to give himself. James had diabetes for 36 years. I can't think how brave he was everyday facing lows in sugar. My wife lives everyday like it's her last. James was a great influence on me. I just did'nt know it until now. James Obid dosen't mention any children that he Fathered. What a shame. i will attend the 40th Reunion so if anyone does remember me, Then I can say hello. Old High reminds me of the Movie, Remember The Titans!. Through all the turmoil of the time we were going through somehow we all pulled it together and were a Football Powerhouse. James Ferguson, Thank You for being my friend, I know that you are in Heaven and you surely earned your Angel Wings. Thank You for being such a positive influence to me 40 years ago!.....
Ronnie McBride
Orlando Sosa
James was one of my best friends. We became good friends when we were in ROTC back at Old High. We aways talk about joining the US Army togeather after we left high school. We were both crazy about the same girl in high school. HE ask her to our ROTC banquet before I had the chance to. Oh well I think about it when ever I look through our year book. We were also on the Drill team togeather and got to travel to drill meets in town and in the Dallas area. First time I got to go to the metro with my friends.I remember we got the chance to travel to Arlington to the Bell Helicopter plant and got to fly in a Huey. Man , James and I were hook. That was my first time to fly and I loved that bird. Little did I know I would be spending the next 26 years in and out of one. I'll never get in one again.But, after we graduated James went to Collage and I went in another direction. I was hope to keep in touch with James cause we were good friends. I saw James one time when I was home for a while and he look the same but, I could tell there was something different about him. Not that we were older but, he seem so far away from the James I knew.I was sad when I saw he had Pass Away and My thought's of my friend from long ago made me sad. When ever I think of him I only see my friend from long ago. God Bless you old Friend.