Richard Clay Ferguson

Richard Clay Ferguson, 89, of the Eastern Star Community, passed away peacefully Monday, November 17, 2014, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Mountain Home, TN. Born February 8, 1925 and raised in Washington County, TN (Harmony Community), he was a son of T. M. and Martha Collins Ferguson, He lived in West Palm Beach, FL for 25 years before moving back to this area in 1983.

While in Florida he retired from Pratt-Whitney Aircraft in 1982 following 25 years of service. He was a member of Harmony Baptist Church. Mr. Ferguson was a Veteran of World War II and the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Army.

He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, dad, papaw and friend who enjoyed woodworking and building homes, having built all the houses that he had lived in.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Tommie Ferguson, two brothers, Ray Ferguson and Robert Ferguson, and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Hazel and Jim Mitchell, and Bessie and Orville Arney.

He is survived by his children, Larry R. Ferguson and wife, Linda of Gray, and Jennifer Earles and husband, David of Kingsport; grandchildren, Jaime Ferguson, Whitney Estepp and husband, Chad, David Earles II and wife, Jessica, Richard Earles and fiancée, Kelly Jacobs, and Evan Earles; great-grandchildren, Noah Estepp, Mallory Estepp, Seth Estepp and Riley Earles; sister-in-law, Grace Ferguson; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 11:00am to 1:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm with Dr. Michael D. Oaks officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Memorial Park. Military Honors will be accorded by The American Legion, Hammond Post #3 and Gate City Post #265.

Pallbearers will be Larry Ferguson, David Earles, David Earles II, Richard Earles, Evan Earles and Chad Estepp.

Those wishing may make memorial contributions to Young Life, 244 E. Center St., Kingsport, TN 37660.

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