Ferguson, John J. age 56, passed away peacefully Monday, March 30, 2009 at home surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Susan A. (nee Carlton) Ferguson for 34 years; cherished father of Kelly (Kevin) Prunty, Katherine Katie (Jonathan) Zilm and Courtney Ferguson; dear grandfather of Jack and Henry Prunty; dear son of Elizabeth Betty and the late Joseph P. Ferguson; dear brother of Thomas (Jenny), Michael (Kate) Ferguson, Susan (Jim) Perry and the late Richard Ferguson; loving uncle and dear friend to many. Known to many as Jerk Bait, John was a charter member of the Musky Marauders. Services: Funeral Mass Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. at St. Anselm Church at The Priory, 530 S. Mason Rd. Private interment, Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Friday, 4-8 p.m. at BOPP Chapel, 10610 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood. Memorials preferred to American Cancer Society or The Next Step, PO Box 220151, Kirkwood, MO 63122. 

 

George E. Rion was the one who advised us that John Ferguson had passed away.  He was born July 19, 1952.

 

George writes:

 

John and I have been friends since grade school at Sacred Heart School in Hubbard Woods and our families have been very close ever since.  In the obituary you will see John was a charter Member of the Musky Marauders; if you have time check it out at www.muskymarauders.com.  Members have posted memories of John on this site.  John, his brothers Tom and Mike, along with a friend Steve Detrick, started this club in 1987 just for fun and fishing, with all members having a fishing related name, thus Jerbait John, I am Giant Killer George, Randy Wells is Rizzo Wizz Randy.  The club has grown with many family members and friends over the years and we still spend a week of fishing with 30 to 40 members in northern Wisconsin every year.  John and his brother Tom were our hosts at their cabins and John's wife Sue has continued this tradition for us in his memory.
 
After John finished College he went to work for Monsanto in St Louis, MO and rose to the position of President of one of their companies until around 2001 when he retired.  After 1 year of fishing and retirement he decided to work for a while again and became President of IMC Global in Half Day, IL and lived in Lake Forest.  After 1-1/2 years he retired again, moved back to St Louis and then talked me into retirement and we started tournament fishing all over the Midwest until his death.

 

Muskie fishing and Musky Marauders were John's passion so he fished all over the world; as president of the companies he worked for he would book a whole fishing resort and spend 3 or 4 days fishing with clients from around the world.  John's theory was when fishing all day on the water with a client you have their undivided attention instead of an hour in an office.  He was very successful with making friendships and obtaining large contracts for his company.