Barbara Lou Fergeson's Obituary
Barbara Lou Fergeson was born at St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was destined to be a precious gift to Dr. Wilkie Hoover and his wife Marion. Early in life Barbara was nicknamed, “Sunshine,” by her maternal grandfather. Anybody that knew her would say the name certainly fits. She always brought light and warmth to those around her. She was an energetic and spirited little girl who, as legend has it, was the fastest kid on the Eliot playground. Her life was forever changed when she met the handsome and ornery boy driving a ‘57 Chevy at Edison high school. She fell in love and married Paul Duane Fergeson on June 12, 1963 and they spent nearly 53 years together, until his passing in January of this year. She earned her Associates Degree from Claremore Junior College in 1971, but she would say her more significant educational accomplishment was helping her husband earn his Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tulsa as well as two master’s degrees. She typed countless papers and made sure he stayed on the right track. She held many jobs over of her career but none did she enjoy more, or was she better suited for, than that of babysitter to many dozens of Tulsa children in the 1970s and 80s.To say that Barbara was a devoted wife and mother would be an embarrassment of understatement. She spent the majority of her weekends for 19 years in Oklahoma gymnasiums cheering on her two sons, Brent and Mark, on their way to numerous city, state, national and even world championships in the sport of wrestling. She was again faithful supporter to Paul as he coached and she ordered and cleaned uniforms, transported and supported hundreds of wrestlers in the Oklahoma wrestling scene.Barbara was a devoted and loving friend to nearly everyone she met, young and old. Her kindness and acceptance of us all, no matter how different or flawed we may be, is truly an inspiration. Her home was a gathering place for those who needed love, encouragement, or just a good laugh. She loved lighthearted, funny movies over warm chocolate chip cookies. Everyone was invited and many accepted, as her home was often filled with teenagers, young adults and elderly friends drawn to her sweet and spunky personality.Paul and Barbara moved to Oklahoma City in 2003 to be closer to family. She enjoyed spending her retired years traveling in New England with her husband, visiting her grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law in California, and joining her Oklahoma City family on ski trips and at countless soccer games. She was also a beloved volunteer at the Children’s Hospital at the OU Medical Center serving as a great comfort to countless children and families.Barbara is survived by her two sons, Brent and Mark; daughters-in-law Susie and Gina; four grandchildren, Brenton, Aubrey, Joshua and Nathan; her brother David Hoover and his wife Kay. She is preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents Dr. Wilkie and Marion Hoover, and granddaughter Kaelyn Danielle Fergeson.A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 10 AM, Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, 6500 S. 129 E. Ave., Broken Arrow. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Children’s Hospital Volunteers (www.volunteeratchildrens.org)
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