Milton C. Ferguson

Milton C. Ferguson died peacefully on Friday June 11, 2014 at the age of 90. He was born on January 3, 1924 in Valsetz, Oregon to Chauncey and Laverne Ferguson. He spent his youth in the nearby town of Falls City Oregon. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on his 18th birthday, just one month after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. His entire time in the Marine Corps was on active duty without leave in the Pacific.

A few months after his return he met Theo Dickinson who was also from Falls City. They had a 6-week courtship and were married on June 22, 1946. Milt spent the early years of their marriage working for the Oregon Park Service. He and Theo lived in Humbug Mountain State Park and later in Silver Creek Falls State Park. Not long after the birth of their first child, Linda, they moved to Longview Washington where Milt worked for Reynolds Metals Company. They had their second child, Chris, while living in Longview.

They later purchased a small acreage in Wahkiakum County. He remodeled the 2-bedroom home making 3 bedrooms upstairs, enlarging the living room and adding a fireplace, a sunroom, and a back deck. He also removed and replaced several out buildings. They lived there for 49 years.

Milt continued working at Reynolds Metals rising to the position of shift foreman. After 32 years of service to the company he was granted an early retirement. He was 57 years old. . He and Theo spent some time traveling the US in their RV . Milt spent the rest of his time working on his home, raising cows, chickens, and garden as well as maintaining the beautiful home they now had. In 2006 they moved back to Longview.

Milt was a man of his word and a hard worker. When he said he would do something he determined to get it done. He loved his wife and his children and made sure they knew it. He also had a playful sense of humor and a great sense of fun. He was inventive and resourceful. He made toys for his kids, and he was right there to help when a science project was assigned in school. He taught his children about fishing, raising animals, gardening, and how to work.

Milt leaves his wife of 68 years, Theo Ferguson, a daughter Linda Stiltz (Tom), a son Chris Ferguson (Jan) all from Longview. He has three grandchildren Jonathan Ferguson (Tonia), Laura Powers (Reuben), and Teresa Ferguson, three step grandchildren Isaac Stiltz, Gabrielle Stiltz, Roselynn (Matt) Mendes, three great grandchildren David and Lynn Ferguson and Marcus Powers, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Steele Chapel and 5050 Mt. Solo Road in Longview. It will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday July 26. The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Community Home Health/Hospice in Longview.

- Paid Obituary -