Ferguson, John Elvin

John Elvin Ferguson, 64, of Iowa City, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Zion Lutheran Church, with a visitation starting at 6 p.m. Interment will be in Rocky Mount, Va., at a later date.

He was born April 17, 1947, in Boone's Mill, Va., to Joseph and Nellie Ferguson. He graduated with a B.A. from William and Mary in 1969. He received his PH.D. in sociology and social work from the University of Michigan in 1980.

He is survived by his wife, Kristi; his sons, Nathan and Andrew; his father, Joseph; his brother, Jerry (Jackie), and their children, Wendy (John Grinder), and their daughter, Grace Elizabeth, and Jerry Ferguson Jr.; and brother-in-law, Bradley Martinson (Beth), and their children, Tim and Sara (Mike) McCue, and their children, Hank, Libby and Owen).

He was preceded in death by his mother, Nellie

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church.

Online condolences and memories may be directed to

Published Nov. 6, 2011, in The Gazette