Jerry Neal Ferguson, of Clinton, TN, passed peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2024. Jerry was born in Waynesville, North Carolina to Taylor and Ruby Ferguson. He grew up in Maggie Valley, NC and graduated from Waynesville Township High School where he volunteered as the Mountaineer mascot. As a teen, Jerry worked at Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley as a buck dancer, clogger and gun fighter during the summer.
After high school graduation Jerry joined the US Navy and served four and a half years during the Vietnam War and at the Bay of Pigs on the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise and USS America. Touring around the world on his last tour of duty.
Jerry moved to Oak Ridge TN in 1968 with his wife, Gwen, and daughter Kimberly to take a position as an electrician at Y12 in Oak Ridge. Shortly after he moved his family to Clinton where he still resided at his death.
Jerry graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in training and supervision and moved into that field of work at Y12. He was employed there for 30 years.
Jerry was a faithful member of Memorial United Methodist Church and was active in the church. He enjoyed working in the church’s food pantry and was a guest vocalist for the church’s 323 North Main bluegrass and acoustic band. He was also a past member of the Clinton Jaycees, serving as president one year and worked as a poll worker in Anderson County for a number of years.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Taylor and Ruby Brendle Ferguson; brother, Johnny Mack Ferguson; and son-in-law, Bill Eby.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Gwen Thomas Ferguson; daughters Kim Eby, Grey Ferguson Collier (Daniel), Laura Ferguson Hubbs (Michael); grandchildren Mollie and Parker Collier; half-sister-in-law June Hashbarger, brother-in-law Ed Thomas and multiple nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will meet 11:30 am, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Holley Gamble Funeral Home and go in procession to Grandview Memorial Garden for a 12:00 pm graveside service with Rev. Scott Wilks officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Food Pantry or Sound System Fund at Memorial United Methodist Church of Clinton. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. holleygamble.com
