Paul Duane Fergeson's Obituary
Paul Duane Fergeson, “PD”, was born into the family of Duane and Twila Fergeson and raised in Tulsa Oklahoma. He graduated from Edison High School in 1960 and attended the University of Tulsa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. He caught the attention of Barbara Lou Hoover and married her in 1963. He taught high school students in Coweta, Oklahoma and Morrisville, Missouri where he was adored by his students and fulfilled his passion of educating and mentoring young people. He later earned master’s degrees in history and psychology from Tulsa University and Northeastern State University respectively. After a teaching stint at Claremore Junior College, he decided to pursue his lifelong passion of helping children who were victims of abuse and left without hope at the L. E. Rader Juvenile Detention Center. He counseled struggling youth and helped them overcome their wounds with a goal to see them recover and rejoin society. He later served as the youths’ advocate for their safety within the facility. Along his devoted journey, he also founded and coached elementary wrestling programs in Coweta, OK and Union Public Schools. Paul and his devoted wife Barbara spent the majority of their weekends over the next 19 years in gyms coaching and cheering wrestlers, including their two sons, Brent and Mark. He was loved and respected by many young wrestlers and their parents as he selflessly coached, trained, transported and inspired hundreds of wrestlers in the Oklahoma wrestling scene. Paul always had a tender heart for the underdog. Over the years, Paul and Barbara showed compassion by opening their home to many who needed a helping hand while getting back on their feet. Paul listened with sincerity and asked the big questions. He loved books and music with deep lyrics. He was a magnet for gathering family and friends for great discussions and a good laugh! Paul and Barbara moved to Oklahoma City in 2003 to be closer to family. He enjoyed spending his retired years riding his motorcycle and traveling in New England. Paul is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Barbara Lou Fergeson and his two sons Brent and Mark, daughters in law, Susie and Gina, and four grandchildren, Brenton, Aubrey, Joshua and Nathan. He is preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Twila Fergeson and granddaughter, Kaelyn Danielle Fergeson. A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at Floral Haven Funeral Home 6500 S. 129 East Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 on February 1, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salvation Army or Second Chance Animal Sanctuary.
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