Don Ferguson

Don Ferguson, 80, formerly of La Grande, died May 19 at his home in Lincoln City.

An all-day celebration of life gathering will take place June 10 at the home of his daughter, Linda, at 506 SW Kincade Rd. in Boardman. Call 541-418-3664 for information or directions.

Don, known as "Oke" and "Fergie," was born Oct. 1, 1926, to Clarence and Buelah Ferguson in Sparks, Okla. Unable to serve in the military, he worked in the shipping yards in California. He then moved to western Oregon, where he met and married his wife of 58 years, Doris Schoonover.

In 1954 Don went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman. In 1955 he was sent to Huntington, where he worked for 14 years, then to La Grande, where he worked until his retirement after 34 years with the railroad. He lived in Hermiston for 12 years, and then in Lincoln City the last four years of his life.

Don was an avid rockhound and enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Ferguson of Lincoln City; children and their spouses and /or partners, Linda and George Schisler of Boardman, Vickie and Dee Morris of Union, Pam and Tim Lenon of La Grande, Julie Ferguson and Kearns Heasty of La Grande, Darren Ferguson of Lincoln City, Dusty Ferguson of Hermiston and Don Ferguson Jr. and Tammy of Hermiston; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and brothers, Ken Ferguson of Milton-Freewater, Earl Ferguson of Chandler, Ariz., Lee Ferguson of North Powder and Nolan Ferguson of Salem. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.