Joe Ferguson

Funeral Services will be held at the Big Pasture School Gymnasium, in Randlett, Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with Richard Levings and Chris Short officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Randlett, under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home of Walters. Visitation will be held on Friday from 6-8:00 p.m. at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home.

Joe Frank Ferguson was born to Albert Clyde, and Mildred Maureen (Thomas) Ferguson on February 20, 1939, in rural Comanche Oklahoma and departed this life in Temple, Oklahoma on July 20, 2026, at the age of 87 years and 5 months.

Joe grew up on a farm southeast of Corum, Oklahoma, attending Diamond School through the 8th grade. He then completed 9th through 12th grades at Comanche High School graduating in 1957. While attending CHS, he was highly active in the FFA chapter serving as chapter president, which instilled a lifelong passion in agricultural education. After graduating from Comanche, he proudly attended Oklahoma A&M University where he completed a double major bachelor’s degree in both Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Education graduating in 1961. While attending college in Stillwater, he was named Outstanding Senior in both majors, he was a member of the Alpha Zeta honorary agricultural fraternity, president of the Ag Student Council, president and secretary of the Block and Bridle Club, was a member of the 1960 Livestock Judging Team under the legendary coach, Dr. Bob Totusek, and served as Reporter for the Collegiate FFA chapter.

Joe married Carolyn Jeanette Daniel on June 17, 1961, at First United Methodist Church in Walters. From there, they moved to Morrison for his first teaching job in Vocational Agriculture for school year 1961-62, where he started a family with his son Larry being born in March of 1962. He then taught at Walters High School from 1962-64 before moving to Fort Worth, where he worked for the Packers and Stockyards administration inspecting fair trade practices at different sale barns across Texas in 1965. From there they returned to Oklahoma and spent the next 7 years teaching Vo-Ag in Marland Oklahoma, while pursuing his master's degree in School Administration. His last Ag-Ed program he taught was at Paoli, from 1973-1974. In 1974 Joe and Carolyn along with Larry made their final move to Randlett, Oklahoma, where Joe faithfully served as Superintendent of Schools for Big Pasture Public Schools from 1974-1991. During retirement, he enjoyed helping Larry in his farming and ranching operations where he loved being a tractor hand and going to different sale barns buying stocker calves for Larry. Being able to evaluate and sort good quality livestock was one of Joe's top passions as he was very proficient at placing the good ones.

Joe and Carolyn were very active members of the First Methodist Church of Randlett. He served a year as the assistant postmaster, was on the cemetery board, and served 28 years on the Cotton County Excise Board from 1993-2021. He enjoyed buying cattle and show pigs, and spending time with the grandsons, Clayton and Caleb. He was very proud of both his grandsons and always made it known to them how much he loved them and how proud he was of both of them. He always made sure his family was well taken care of and made it his duty to be in all parts of their lives. He was a man of great faith in his Lord Jesus Christ, and a man whose integrity and moral principles defined his character. He was a role model to many of his students and would never hesitate to give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Ferguson and Mildred Simon; his wife Carolyn; his brother, Gene Ferguson; 2 nieces, Pam Wohlgemuth and Lee Ann Wolcott.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Gaye Lei Ferguson of Randlett; his brother, Jimmy Ferguson of Comanche; his grandsons and granddaughter-in-law, Clayton and Julia Ferguson, and Caleb Ferguson all of Randlett; with many nieces, nephews, cousins, former students, faculty, and friends.