J.D. Ferguson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock while surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 28, 1926 in Amity, the son of the late Noel Edward and Belvie Finney Ferguson. Formerly of Arkadelphia, he spent the last the years of his life in Little Rock. J.D. was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, avid gardener, coon hunter, Razorback fan, and WWII veteran whose integrity and humor will be greatly missed. J.D. was a Charter member, lifetime Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. He loved, mentored and served many families well. He gave his time, his energy and Christ s love during his service. To many, he was affectionately known as the Tomato Man. As a patriotic man, J.D. voluntarily served in World War II as a Navy Seaman First Class on the U.S.S. Santa Monica in the Pacific Ocean. He was a retired millwright with Reynolds Metals Company where he made many friends and impacted many lives. As a retiree, J.D. spent his time maintaining and gardening his eight acres of property; was the proud winner of Arkadelphia s Yard of the Month award; spent time delivering home grown vegetables and visiting with many of the church body as well as the homebound members of the church. J.D. was preceded in death by a daughter, Joanne Ferguson, a brother Carlos Ferguson and a sister, Frieda Jackson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jo Jackson Ferguson, son Noel Ferguson and wife Joanne, son Mike Ferguson and wife Pam and daughter Robyn Fullhart and husband Randy. His legacy continues in his five grandchildren, Brian Ferguson and wife Catie, Lauren Bramlett and husband Nick, Luke Ferguson, Olivia Ferguson and Grace Fullhart and five great grandchildren, Ayden Bennett, Julian Swofford, Rorie Bramlett, Mary Jo Bramlett and Liam Ferguson. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Park Hill Baptist Church on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Funeral services will be held at Park Hill at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 22, 2014, with Craig Seals, Don Tallison and John Small officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers are Noel Ferguson, Luke Ferguson, Randy Fullhart, Jim Shepherd, Terry Smith, Herb Daily, Bill Summar and Mike Shepherd. Memorials may be made to Park Hill Baptist Church, 3333 Hollywood Rd, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the online guest book