James R. Ferguson

Racine- James R. Ferguson, 76, died in Wheaton Franciscan Hospital, on Sunday, January 21, 2007. He was born in Janesville, WI on Nov. 7, 1930 the son of the late Robert and Emily (nee: Teetshorn) Ferguson. Jim graduated from Janesville High School in 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September of 1948. He served 4 proud years in the First Marine Division Band. He played in 4 consecutive Rose Bowl Parades, the Oregon Festival of Roses, the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco, and the world premier of The Sands of Iwo Jima. Jim was discharged, with the rank of Sergeant, in August of 1952. Upon returning to Wisconsin, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Helen I. Fuller, on April 10, 1953, in the First Lutheran Church in Janesville. Jim enrolled in UW-Whitewater and completed his BE Degree in 1957 and graduated as Class President. Jim began his teaching career in the fall of 1957 as a sixth grade teacher at Knapp School. He received his MS in Educational Leadership in 1967. He was appointed principal of Crestview School. From 1970 until 1975 he served as principal of Stephen Bull School. Jim was one of 7 project coordinators who was instrumental in bringing voluntary desegregation to Racine Unified. Jim then returned to Knapp School and serves as principal until 1982. He was then appointed Head Start Director and principal of Garfield until his retirement in 1988. During his retirement Jim played lots of golf and drove the Airport Shuttle for S.C. Johnson until 1998. Still having a love for kids and the educational profession, he returned to the USD-Racine as a substitute principal, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Jim was very active in the community. He served on several United Way Boards, was president of Our Savior Lutheran Congregation for 4 years, president of the Racine Schoolmasters, the Racine Administrators Assoc. and president of the West Racine Kiwanis Club. He was very proud of being starter for the Racine Junior Masters Tournament for several years. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Helen, their children, Daniel (LeAnn) Ferguson of Acworth, GA, Patricia Roselle of Racine, Laurie (Helen Stoffel) Ferguson of Green Bay; grandchildren Clinton “C.J.” Roselle, and Christina Daniels; son-in-law Barry Roselle; close family member Bryon (Linda) Petschow; and by his best friend George Ginther. Jim is further survived by numerous friends and countless numbers of children he touched throughout his career. His funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 25th, in Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, 1700 S. Green Bay Rd., with Rev. Kara Baylor officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and in the church on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Racine Junior Masters, the West Racine Kiwanis Club Scholarship, or the Racine Health Care Network. The family extends thanks for the outstanding skill, compassion, and understanding of Dr. Jim Simonds and the nurses in Wheaton Franciscan Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.