Wade E Ferguson

Wade E. Ferguson started riding broncs at the age of fourteen and is now riding them in the great rodeo in the sky. Wade crossed over on October 24, 2013 at Bannon Springs Ranch in Vernon, Arizona of complications from brain surgery. Wade was born in Greenville, New Mexico on October 30, 1932 and was one of 9 children born to Unis and Eva Ferguson. Wade was a Marine Corps. Sgt., during the Korean Conflict where he received numerous service medals. He was a true "cow puncher" for many ranches in Northern Arizona. He had many stories to tell, including meeting Raquel Welch and Ceasar Romero while they were filming movies in Prescott. He even bought John Wayne a drink in a local Saloon. One time, while Wade and his brother Selwyn wanted to teach their brother Jack how to bullride, they tied his feet together under the bull and let him go. The bull wasn't pleased and jumped out of the shoot, snorting fire. Soon, Jack was upside down, feet still tied to the bull. Wade and Selwyn were laughing too hard to help but all turned out ok. Wade also worked in the mines back when they still used the canaries. He survived being buried up to his neck twice. Wade was the independent type, as he would "shock" himself on the electric fence to "jumpstart" his heart on the ranch when he was feeling rundown and he would go right back to work. Wade was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta of 50 years; parents, Unis and Eva; brothers, Alden, Clark and Selwyn; sister, Lois and a granddaughter. Wade is survived by his son, Wayne (Karen) Ferguson; step-children, Claudia, Allen and James Warren; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Nina; brothers, Jack, Gene, Warren and Clyde. "Our family would like to thank Bannon Springs Ranch for their superb care of our dad to include, Scott, Nancy, Daniel, Sue, Jodi, Becky and Carrie. Nina with Hospice Compassus and special thanks to Tara of Bannon Springs and her uncle, Bishop Clyde Anderson of the Concho Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for our dad's end of life Blessing. We would also like to thank, Travis Johnson of Johnson Livestock who was dad's employer up until very recently. The family would also like to thank Russell of Owens Livingston Mortuary in Show Low for his professionalism and respect for us and our dad." The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program or White Mountain Hospice Foundation, PO Box 1975, Lakeside, Arizona 85929. Private family services are planned.