Gordon “General Lee” Ferguson

Heaven won’t take him & Hell’s afraid he’ll take over
Gordon “General Lee” Ferguson passed away peacefully on Dec. 1st 2019, the center of attention, the life of the party, exactly as he would have wanted. He was born on July 21st 1937 to Ruth Mae Collins and Samuel Gordon Ferguson in Carr Station, Georgia. He was a true southern democratic boy much to the annoyance of his republican family…you know who you are! I think he just died because he could not stand seeing another election.
He grew up working hard with his five siblings in his granny’s grocery store and juke joint…no not that kind of joint. He was right by his father’s side with his brother W.C. working in his dad’s logging business. He loved to share many stories about his colorful, crazy family…literally certifiable crazy.
At the age of 8 years old, he would tell us how he was “in charge of 40 men” in his dad’s business, to make sure that they had everything they needed. He was also in charge of taking care of the animals on the farm. He always taught us that you feed and take care of the animals first before you even have breakfast. On one occasion, dad and his brother were told to put oil under the chicken’s wings to prevent lice. We never found out who was the instigator, but it was decided that they needed to baptize the “mean chickens” with the oil. Well, the chicken’s feathers all fell out and were sunburned. Then Grandpa sunburned dad’s and W.C.’s back sides! Dad had a Harley motorcycle that he loved to stand up on the seat, with his arms raised out, giving everyone a show. He even sold his Grandpa Tom’s moonshine, repackaging it to make a little profit. He was adamant that he never drank any and always paid tithing on his earnings.
At the age of 16, in 1954, with his younger siblings and his recently divorced mother, they traveled to Utah for a new life. They settled in on 968 2nd Avenue. He lied about his age, got a job at a local service station and joined the Utah Army National Guard, where he served for 35 years. His mother always called his her “right hand man” as he turned over every single paycheck to her to support the family.
Dad went on his first date with mom, Carolyn Hawkins, on Oct. 31st 1956. He was in love at first site. She was a beautiful classy lady who loved his southern accent, his muscular shoulders and his funny stories. They were engaged for nearly 3 years, as they both knew that their families needed their financial support to get by. They were married on June 26th 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple. Mom was an hour late for the ceremony and dad thought that she had changed her mind as she was a bit out of his league! They moved to Rose Park and had two girls, Gaylene and Janet Lee. He loved being a husband and a father, teaching us about the gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing the wonderful history of our family joining the LDS church in the late 1890’s.
Dad worked as a laborer, oiler, rigger, running heavy equipment and then as a crane operator. He bragged he was the best damn operator in Utah and didn’t give a shit what anyone else had to say about it. He worked for Christiansen Brothers, Shurtliff & Andrews, Acme Crane, Axtel Crane and Wagstaff too. You had better believe it, he was a UNION man, Operating Engineers Local #3. His last job as an operator was on the LDS Conference Center of which he was very proud.
One of his crazy hobbies was also one of my mother’s most dreaded activities. The neighbors called him the “Rose Park bush wacker”. He hated all the “dod-damn Russian olive trees” in Rose Park and his chainsaw made them tremble. The pile at the curb was huge and mom was always frustrated, in tears by the time the task was done.
It hurt dad’s heart to see anyone in need. He generously lent his time, talents, and financial resources to those who needed help. Many family members and friends benefited from his wonderful generosity. He has been such a great example to us all. To clothe and feed the needy, the poor and downtrodden. He listened to our Father’s commandment to truly love one another.
To my sweet bipolar bear dad…I absolutely love you to the moon and back. You will always be affectionately called my “turd dad”. You were ready to always rise to the top of the punch bowl, ready to make someone yell while you laugh!
Survived by daughter Janet (Henry) Sartori, granddaughters Jessica (Jason) Guison, McKenna Sartori and grandson Randall Earl Ferguson and great grandson Liam Guison, Brothers W.C. (Beverly) Ferguson, Fred (Gayle) Ferguson, sisters Ora Hurst, Connie (Denny) Roberts, Pat Miller and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death and now partying with his wife Carolyn (the best kisser in the world) parents, Samuel Gordon and Ruth Mae Ferguson, daughter Gaylene Chapman, grandchildren Benjamin Chapman, Anna Lisa Chapman and Christopher Chapman.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday on December 7th at 2pm at Redwood Memorial Estates Chapel, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan. Friends and family may come on Friday from 6-8pm and 1 hour prior to the service. Interment to follow the service at Redwood Memorial Estates Cemetery.
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Lisa Stout and staff, Dr. Scott Samuelson, Dr. Erin Helms, IHC Hospice and nurses Dennis, Sharlene, Donna and Trevor, Dr. Steven Smith, Andrew our social worker and Doug our chaplain.
In lieu of flowers, dad wanted everyone to generously donate to the charity of your choice. His favorites were Meals on Wheels and the Salt Lake Rescue Mission.
Service Information
Viewing December 6, 2019 at 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123





Viewing December 7, 2019 at 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123





Funeral Service
December 7, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123