Chester Eugene 'Chester E. "Chet" Fergus Ferguson

Local businessman, Chester E. "Chet" Ferguson loved Oklahoma City. He was born in rural Vernon Co., MO on June 8, 1922 to August "Gus" Ferguson and Elese G. (Moore) Ferguson. Chet grew up near Ft. Scott, KS and joined the Army Air Corps in July 1940. He moved to Wichita Falls, TX in August, 1941 to teach at the Shepherd Field Airplane Mechanics School. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Billie Merle Bean on May 16, 1942. They were married 70 years. They spent their early married life in Lowrey, CO where Chet was assigned during WW II. Afterwards, the couple moved back to Texas where Chet managed paint and wallpaper stores in Beaumont and Houston, TX. Their son, Rodney, was born in Beaumont in 1949. In 1955 Chet moved the family to Okla. City to manage departments for Sears Co. By 1958 he opened his own paint and decorating store. Ferguson's Paint and Decorating store was his base for over 30 years. Together, he and Billie also managed a real estate business. They were active in many local events, Kiwanis, square dancing and at their local church, NW Christian Church of OKC. After closing their store in 1988, Chet continued to manage his real estate business and also organized the marketing department at Union Bank, organized and managed a community center for seniors and a Latino community center. He and Billie enjoyed their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and traveling with extended family and friends through Kiwanis and square dancing. Besides volunteering with Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and Oklahoma City Convention and Tourism, Chet was an NDPA board member for the paint industry and active in leadership in his local Mayfair Kiwanis, going on to serve as Lt. Governor and later Governor of Kiwanis for the Texas/Oklahoma District. He and Billie served as General Chairman of the 1989 National Square Dance Convention in Okla. City and on many other various boards with square dance groups. Chet and Billie were great ambassadors for Okla. City and promoted it wherever they went. Chet also wrote and published a book, "I Wish I'd Said That". He and Billie made friends all over the world. Chet was preceded in death by his wife, Billie, parents, August and Elese Ferguson, brother, Arthur Ferguson and sister Lucille Sandusky. He is survived by his son, Rodney and wife Rebecca of OKC, grandchildren, Kimberly Weaver and husband Mitch of Bristow, Matthew Ferguson and wife Tiffany of Brooken and Sean Ferguson and wife Melissa of Moore. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Tyler Weaver and wife Nikole of Ft. Bragg, NC, Joel Weaver of Bristow, Landyn Ferguson of Brooken and great, great-grandchildren Landon and Blake Weaver of Ft. Bragg, NC. Visitation is Tues., Nov. 4 at Smith & Kernke from 3-9 with family present from 6-8. A memorial service celebrating Chet's life will be held at 2 PM, Wed., Nov. 5 at NW Christian Church located at 2828 NW 30th St., OKC with reception following. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the T/O District Foundation, 3010 W Park Row, Ste. 100, Pantego, TX 76013.