Burdett (B) Ferguson
Burdett Ferguson went to be with his heavenly Father Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, surrounded by his family, at the Tekoa (Wash.) Care Center, where he had resided for the past few months. B was born Nov. 11, 1923, to George and Lisa Ferguson on the family homestead at Freeman Creek, Idaho. He was the youngest of six children and attended the Freeman Creek School.
During World War II, he and his brother Joe joined the U.S. Army. They were stationed at Blackland Air Field in Waco, Texas. B trained pilots in a flight simulator. After his discharge he returned to the Orofino area. He got his pilot's license and spent many happy hours in the air with family and friends.
He married Louise Frost and had one daughter. Louise died in an auto accident. He remarried in 1957. His wife survives him at Wedgewood Terrace in Lewiston.
B went to work for Potlatch Forests Inc. in Headquarters. He tried several jobs, but found his home in the old Mack logging truck No. 38, which he drove for many years. He also worked on many of the log drives. He piloted the Jesse J., one of the boats which was used to ferry the bank crews. He had the privilege of running one of the first jet boats on the Clearwater River. He also ferried the cougars, stars and film crews on the river when Walt Disney was filming the movie, "Charlie the Lonesome Cougar."
He is survived by his wife; his very special son and daughter-in-law of Lewiston; and his daughter and son-in-law of Alaska. He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings.
B was my dad for 41 years. If you ever needed anything, you always knew he would be there to help you. He always had a dry shoulder if you needed one, or he was there if you just needed someone to talk to. He was a big man, with a bigger heart. He will be missed by all who knew him.
At his request there will be no service.
Donations may be made in Burdett's name to the Jackson Baldwin Foundation, 3527 Eighth St. C, Lewiston, ID 83501
The Lewiston Tribune, October 20, 2011, p. 5C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock