John Lawrence Ferguson III's Obituary
John Lawrence “Larry” Ferguson, III, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at the age of 53 in Collierville, Tennessee.
Larry was born on November 7, 1969, at King’s Daughter Hospital in Greenville, Mississippi, to John and Betty Ferguson. He was the couple’s first child and only son. Larry spent most of his formative years in Lake Village, Arkansas. Taking advantage of all Lake Village had to offer a boy, Larry loved hunting, fishing, archery, anything with a motor, and all things outdoors. This small lakeside community is where Larry formed some of his most sacred and long-lasting friendships. It is also where he perfected teasing his younger sisters, “Kiki” and “Toot”. They both adored him. When Larry turned 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, completely unbeknownst to his parents. Larry was extremely proud of his service in the U.S.M.C. Reserves, and his active duty during Operation Desert Storm. He was less proud of the lightning bolt tattoo he got on his arm in New Orleans to commemorate how he could outrun his entire platoon. Because of the tattoo, his nickname became “Flash”. Larry completed basic training just before beginning his freshman year at Delta State University, following in the academic footsteps of his father, mother, and grandfather. Like his father, Larry pledged Pi Kappa Alpha. He remained close friends with many of his fellow Pikes throughout the years. Decades later, one even became his brother-in-law. Larry graduated Delta State in 1994 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He was also honorably discharged from the Marines, having served from 1988 to 1994. After graduation, Larry moved to Lubbock, Texas, to join his parents and little sister where he had a brief career as a stockbroker with Dean Whitter. Almost thirty years later, his dear mother, Betty, will still tell you how his boss called to let her know her son scored the second highest grade on his broker exams in the company’s history. Eventually, Larry moved to the Memphis area, working in his fraternity brother’s family furniture store. In 1997, Larry was married and later had two beautiful children: his “Doodle Bug” Hannah and his “Monkey” Jackson. Larry was immensely proud of his children, more than any other accomplishment in his life.
In 1996, Larry began his career in insurance. After 14 ½ years, Larry started his own agency, Ferguson Insurance. He owned the business until his passing. Larry had a deep love and bond with his dog, Mars. A dog large enough to equate with his owner’s personality. Larry was intelligent, funny, hot-tempered, stubborn, active, loud, handsome, protective, occasionally obnoxious, always generous, a great storyteller, and above all he loved his family deeply. He is survived by his children, Hannah Elizabeth Ferguson and Jackson Lawrence Ferguson, his beloved mother, Elizabeth Ann Passmore Ferguson, and his two sisters, Christy Neal Elizabeth Ferguson Rowsey (Greg) and Lesley Ann Ferguson, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, John Lawrence Ferguson, Jr., and his infant sister, Joanna Leigh Ferguson.
The family asks if you prefer to make a donation in Larry’s name in lieu of flowers, please send to: The Baddour Center P.O. Box 97 Senatobia MS 38668
Funeral Services for Mr. Ferguson will be conducted on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 1:00pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home in the Riverside Chapel. Visitation will be held a hour prior to the services starting at 12:00pm. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors.
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