Obituary for Jack Gordon Ferrell
Jack Gordon Ferrell
Lt. Colonel (retired) Jack Gordon Ferrell, devoted husband, father, and friend to many, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his daughter and son in law in their home in Altus, Oklahoma. He was born June 29, 1921, to Margaret Donnelly Ferrell and Harry Ferrell in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Phillips High School where he was a stand out athlete in both baseball and football. When he was sixteen years old, he was awarded athletic scholarships in both sports to Alabama Polytechnic Institute, which later became Auburn University, where he graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was drafted to play baseball for the New York Yankees, but was called to serve his country during WWII upon graduation.
He married Florence McQueen in 1943 at The Church of the Advent, Birmingham, Alabama, and started his military service which took him to Europe during World War II. He flew numerous missions from England to occupied territories. On one fateful flight his plane received fire over Holland, where he parachuted to safety. Teenagers rescued him and then hid him on various farms throughout the countryside. The Birmingham News had him listed as "Auburn Gridder"Missing in Action" and he was not heard from for nearly six months. These brave men and women risked their lives for their American allies and were later called the Dutch Association of Pilot Helpers. On returning to Europe in the 1950"s, he searched continually for these men, but found they all were using aliases during the war. However, he did come upon a war museum in Essen, Holland, and was surprised to see his flight boots along with his name"Lt. Jack Ferrell. In 1980 he was reunited with several of these rescuers when they traveled to Louisiana to see him.
After the war, Ferrell resided in Birmingham for a time where he worked for Proctor and Gamble and he and his wife started their family. He once again was called to military service, and thus continued his career in the U.S. Air Force until his retirement in 1973.
After his military service, he was employed at the Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Bossier Credit Union until his second retirement. He was a sports fan his whole life and refereed football and baseball throughout the state. He enjoyed his membership with the Old Timers Baseball Association in Shreveport, LA and spending time with his baseball buddies. He was a devoted member of St.George"s Episcopal Church where he served as a faithful member and leader in several areas of responsibility including many terms on the Finance Committee and the Vestry. He loved and eagerly participated in their yearly Lenten "soup days". He was a fixture in the back of the Sanctuary each Sunday morning where he could greet everyone as they entered.
Next to his family, his second love was his beloved Auburn University. He was a life long member of Auburn Alumni Association and was fond of flying his War Eagle flag at every opportunity. He recalled getting paid $10 a month to play both baseball and football and he served as team captain for both squads. He sent his money home to help his mother, as he recalled he really didn"t need so much money for himself.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Florence; his parents;his brother, Harry Ferrell, Jr; his sister, Margaret Ferrell; his sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Dick McMichael.
He is survived by his daughter Barbara Ferrell Tims and husband Terry, Altus, OK; son Pick Ferrell and wife Susan, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; son Jack Ferrell Jr, San Antonio, Texas. Seven grandchildren: Taylor Tims Camp and husband Al of Baton Rouge, LA; Evan Tims, Oklahoma City, OK; Trip Ferrell and wife Somi, Atlanta, GA; Connelly Ferrell Reed and husband Chris, New Orleans, LA. Ashley Ferrell Nichols and husband Taiquan; Keely Ferrell Carnahan and husband Charles; Hayley Ferrell Horrell and husband Brian.
Great- grandchildren Isabelle Margaret Camp, Baton Rouge, LA; Aoife Reed, New Orleans, LA; Aniyah and Alijah Nichols; and Isaiah and Jonah Carnahan, San Antonio, Texas.
He is also survived by his long time friend and companion, Sherry Allen of, Shreveport, LA, and his very special little friend MacKenzie Reynolds also of Shreveport, LA.
The family extends their appreciation to his loving caregivers"Judy Stoops, Kelly Maddox, and Marla Collier who cared for him in Oklahoma and who attended to his every need and made every day a special one for him.
Visitation for Jack Ferrell will be Wednesday, April 25 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home, Altus, OK, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Visitation will be at Boone Funeral Home, Bossier City, LA, on Thursday, April 26, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
Funeral Service will be Friday, April 27, 2012, at 11:00 AM at St. George"s Episcopal Church, Bossier City, LA. Interment will be on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 1:00 at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama.
Bossier City, LA.
Memorials in memory of Jack Ferrell may be made to the Ladies of Circle One, First United Methodist Church, Altus, OK; or St. George"s Episcopal Church, Bossier City, La.
Jack Gordon Ferrell
Lt. Colonel (retired) Jack Gordon Ferrell, devoted husband, father, and friend to many, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his daughter and son in law in their home in Altus, Oklahoma. He was born June 29, 1921, to Margaret Donnelly Ferrell and Harry Ferrell in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Phillips High School where he was a stand out athlete in both baseball and football. When he was sixteen years old, he was awarded athletic scholarships in both sports to Alabama Polytechnic Institute, which later became Auburn University, where he graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was drafted to play baseball for the New York Yankees, but was called to serve his country during WWII upon graduation.
He married Florence McQueen in 1943 at The Church of the Advent, Birmingham, Alabama, and started his military service which took him to Europe during World War II. He flew numerous missions from England to occupied territories. On one fateful flight his plane received fire over Holland, where he parachuted to safety. Teenagers rescued him and then hid him on various farms throughout the countryside. The Birmingham News had him listed as "Auburn Gridder"Missing in Action" and he was not heard from for nearly six months. These brave men and women risked their lives for their American allies and were later called the Dutch Association of Pilot Helpers. On returning to Europe in the 1950"s, he searched continually for these men, but found they all were using aliases during the war. However, he did come upon a war museum in Essen, Holland, and was surprised to see his flight boots along with his name"Lt. Jack Ferrell. In 1980 he was reunited with several of these rescuers when they traveled to Louisiana to see him.
After the war, Ferrell resided in Birmingham for a time where he worked for Proctor and Gamble and he and his wife started their family. He once again was called to military service, and thus continued his career in the U.S. Air Force until his retirement in 1973.
After his military service, he was employed at the Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Bossier Credit Union until his second retirement. He was a sports fan his whole life and refereed football and baseball throughout the state. He enjoyed his membership with the Old Timers Baseball Association in Shreveport, LA and spending time with his baseball buddies. He was a devoted member of St.George"s Episcopal Church where he served as a faithful member and leader in several areas of responsibility including many terms on the Finance Committee and the Vestry. He loved and eagerly participated in their yearly Lenten "soup days". He was a fixture in the back of the Sanctuary each Sunday morning where he could greet everyone as they entered.
Next to his family, his second love was his beloved Auburn University. He was a life long member of Auburn Alumni Association and was fond of flying his War Eagle flag at every opportunity. He recalled getting paid $10 a month to play both baseball and football and he served as team captain for both squads. He sent his money home to help his mother, as he recalled he really didn"t need so much money for himself.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Florence; his parents;his brother, Harry Ferrell, Jr; his sister, Margaret Ferrell; his sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Dick McMichael.
He is survived by his daughter Barbara Ferrell Tims and husband Terry, Altus, OK; son Pick Ferrell and wife Susan, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; son Jack Ferrell Jr, San Antonio, Texas. Seven grandchildren: Taylor Tims Camp and husband Al of Baton Rouge, LA; Evan Tims, Oklahoma City, OK; Trip Ferrell and wife Somi, Atlanta, GA; Connelly Ferrell Reed and husband Chris, New Orleans, LA. Ashley Ferrell Nichols and husband Taiquan; Keely Ferrell Carnahan and husband Charles; Hayley Ferrell Horrell and husband Brian.
Great- grandchildren Isabelle Margaret Camp, Baton Rouge, LA; Aoife Reed, New Orleans, LA; Aniyah and Alijah Nichols; and Isaiah and Jonah Carnahan, San Antonio, Texas.
He is also survived by his long time friend and companion, Sherry Allen of, Shreveport, LA, and his very special little friend MacKenzie Reynolds also of Shreveport, LA.
The family extends their appreciation to his loving caregivers"Judy Stoops, Kelly Maddox, and Marla Collier who cared for him in Oklahoma and who attended to his every need and made every day a special one for him.
Visitation for Jack Ferrell will be Wednesday, April 25 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home, Altus, OK, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Visitation will be at Boone Funeral Home, Bossier City, LA, on Thursday, April 26, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
Funeral Service will be Friday, April 27, 2012, at 11:00 AM at St. George"s Episcopal Church, Bossier City, LA. Interment will be on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 1:00 at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama.
Bossier City, LA.
Memorials in memory of Jack Ferrell may be made to the Ladies of Circle One, First United Methodist Church, Altus, OK; or St. George"s Episcopal Church,
Read More
Lt. Colonel (retired) Jack Gordon Ferrell, devoted husband, father, and friend to many, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his daughter and son in law in their home in Altus, Oklahoma. He was born June 29, 1921, to Margaret Donnelly Ferrell and Harry Ferrell in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Phillips High School where he was a stand out athlete in both baseball and football. When he was sixteen years old, he was awarded athletic scholarships in both sports to Alabama Polytechnic Institute, which later became Auburn University, where he graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was drafted to play baseball for the New York Yankees, but was called to serve his country during WWII upon graduation.
He married Florence McQueen in 1943 at The Church of the Advent, Birmingham, Alabama, and started his military service which took him to Europe during World War II. He flew numerous missions from England to occupied territories. On one fateful flight his plane received fire over Holland, where he parachuted to safety. Teenagers rescued him and then hid him on various farms throughout the countryside. The Birmingham News had him listed as "Auburn Gridder"Missing in Action" and he was not heard from for nearly six months. These brave men and women risked their lives for their American allies and were later called the Dutch Association of Pilot Helpers. On returning to Europe in the 1950"s, he searched continually for these men, but found they all were using aliases during the war. However, he did come upon a war museum in Essen, Holland, and was surprised to see his flight boots along with his name"Lt. Jack Ferrell. In 1980 he was reunited with several of these rescuers when they traveled to Louisiana to see him.
After the war, Ferrell resided in Birmingham for a time where he worked for Proctor and Gamble and he and his wife started their family. He once again was called to military service, and thus continued his career in the U.S. Air Force until his retirement in 1973.
After his military service, he was employed at the Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Bossier Credit Union until his second retirement. He was a sports fan his whole life and refereed football and baseball throughout the state. He enjoyed his membership with the Old Timers Baseball Association in Shreveport, LA and spending time with his baseball buddies. He was a devoted member of St.George"s Episcopal Church where he served as a faithful member and leader in several areas of responsibility including many terms on the Finance Committee and the Vestry. He loved and eagerly participated in their yearly Lenten "soup days". He was a fixture in the back of the Sanctuary each Sunday morning where he could greet everyone as they entered.
Next to his family, his second love was his beloved Auburn University. He was a life long member of Auburn Alumni Association and was fond of flying his War Eagle flag at every opportunity. He recalled getting paid $10 a month to play both baseball and football and he served as team captain for both squads. He sent his money home to help his mother, as he recalled he really didn"t need so much money for himself.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Florence; his parents;his brother, Harry Ferrell, Jr; his sister, Margaret Ferrell; his sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Dick McMichael.
He is survived by his daughter Barbara Ferrell Tims and husband Terry, Altus, OK; son Pick Ferrell and wife Susan, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; son Jack Ferrell Jr, San Antonio, Texas. Seven grandchildren: Taylor Tims Camp and husband Al of Baton Rouge, LA; Evan Tims, Oklahoma City, OK; Trip Ferrell and wife Somi, Atlanta, GA; Connelly Ferrell Reed and husband Chris, New Orleans, LA. Ashley Ferrell Nichols and husband Taiquan; Keely Ferrell Carnahan and husband Charles; Hayley Ferrell Horrell and husband Brian.
Great- grandchildren Isabelle Margaret Camp, Baton Rouge, LA; Aoife Reed, New Orleans, LA; Aniyah and Alijah Nichols; and Isaiah and Jonah Carnahan, San Antonio, Texas.
He is also survived by his long time friend and companion, Sherry Allen of, Shreveport, LA, and his very special little friend MacKenzie Reynolds also of Shreveport, LA.
The family extends their appreciation to his loving caregivers"Judy Stoops, Kelly Maddox, and Marla Collier who cared for him in Oklahoma and who attended to his every need and made every day a special one for him.
Visitation for Jack Ferrell will be Wednesday, April 25 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home, Altus, OK, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Visitation will be at Boone Funeral Home, Bossier City, LA, on Thursday, April 26, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
Funeral Service will be Friday, April 27, 2012, at 11:00 AM at St. George"s Episcopal Church, Bossier City, LA. Interment will be on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 1:00 at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama.
Bossier City, LA.
Memorials in memory of Jack Ferrell may be made to the Ladies of Circle One, First United Methodist Church, Altus, OK; or St. George"s Episcopal Church, Bossier City, La.
Jack Gordon Ferrell
Lt. Colonel (retired) Jack Gordon Ferrell, devoted husband, father, and friend to many, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his daughter and son in law in their home in Altus, Oklahoma. He was born June 29, 1921, to Margaret Donnelly Ferrell and Harry Ferrell in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Phillips High School where he was a stand out athlete in both baseball and football. When he was sixteen years old, he was awarded athletic scholarships in both sports to Alabama Polytechnic Institute, which later became Auburn University, where he graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was drafted to play baseball for the New York Yankees, but was called to serve his country during WWII upon graduation.
He married Florence McQueen in 1943 at The Church of the Advent, Birmingham, Alabama, and started his military service which took him to Europe during World War II. He flew numerous missions from England to occupied territories. On one fateful flight his plane received fire over Holland, where he parachuted to safety. Teenagers rescued him and then hid him on various farms throughout the countryside. The Birmingham News had him listed as "Auburn Gridder"Missing in Action" and he was not heard from for nearly six months. These brave men and women risked their lives for their American allies and were later called the Dutch Association of Pilot Helpers. On returning to Europe in the 1950"s, he searched continually for these men, but found they all were using aliases during the war. However, he did come upon a war museum in Essen, Holland, and was surprised to see his flight boots along with his name"Lt. Jack Ferrell. In 1980 he was reunited with several of these rescuers when they traveled to Louisiana to see him.
After the war, Ferrell resided in Birmingham for a time where he worked for Proctor and Gamble and he and his wife started their family. He once again was called to military service, and thus continued his career in the U.S. Air Force until his retirement in 1973.
After his military service, he was employed at the Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Bossier Credit Union until his second retirement. He was a sports fan his whole life and refereed football and baseball throughout the state. He enjoyed his membership with the Old Timers Baseball Association in Shreveport, LA and spending time with his baseball buddies. He was a devoted member of St.George"s Episcopal Church where he served as a faithful member and leader in several areas of responsibility including many terms on the Finance Committee and the Vestry. He loved and eagerly participated in their yearly Lenten "soup days". He was a fixture in the back of the Sanctuary each Sunday morning where he could greet everyone as they entered.
Next to his family, his second love was his beloved Auburn University. He was a life long member of Auburn Alumni Association and was fond of flying his War Eagle flag at every opportunity. He recalled getting paid $10 a month to play both baseball and football and he served as team captain for both squads. He sent his money home to help his mother, as he recalled he really didn"t need so much money for himself.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Florence; his parents;his brother, Harry Ferrell, Jr; his sister, Margaret Ferrell; his sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Dick McMichael.
He is survived by his daughter Barbara Ferrell Tims and husband Terry, Altus, OK; son Pick Ferrell and wife Susan, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; son Jack Ferrell Jr, San Antonio, Texas. Seven grandchildren: Taylor Tims Camp and husband Al of Baton Rouge, LA; Evan Tims, Oklahoma City, OK; Trip Ferrell and wife Somi, Atlanta, GA; Connelly Ferrell Reed and husband Chris, New Orleans, LA. Ashley Ferrell Nichols and husband Taiquan; Keely Ferrell Carnahan and husband Charles; Hayley Ferrell Horrell and husband Brian.
Great- grandchildren Isabelle Margaret Camp, Baton Rouge, LA; Aoife Reed, New Orleans, LA; Aniyah and Alijah Nichols; and Isaiah and Jonah Carnahan, San Antonio, Texas.
He is also survived by his long time friend and companion, Sherry Allen of, Shreveport, LA, and his very special little friend MacKenzie Reynolds also of Shreveport, LA.
The family extends their appreciation to his loving caregivers"Judy Stoops, Kelly Maddox, and Marla Collier who cared for him in Oklahoma and who attended to his every need and made every day a special one for him.
Visitation for Jack Ferrell will be Wednesday, April 25 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home, Altus, OK, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Visitation will be at Boone Funeral Home, Bossier City, LA, on Thursday, April 26, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
Funeral Service will be Friday, April 27, 2012, at 11:00 AM at St. George"s Episcopal Church, Bossier City, LA. Interment will be on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 1:00 at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama.
Bossier City, LA.
Memorials in memory of Jack Ferrell may be made to the Ladies of Circle One, First United Methodist Church, Altus, OK; or St. George"s Episcopal Church,
To send flowers in memory of Jack Gordon Ferrell, visit the Tribute Store.
Thank you for sharing your
memory of Jack
Provide comfort for the family by sending flowers or planting a tree in memory of Jack Gordon Ferrell.
Send Flowers
Loading...