Dale Ferguson

Dale Baker Ferguson, 88, began his sleep in Jesus the evening of December 10, 2020 to the sound of friends and family singing hymns.

Dale was born October 30, 1932 in Jackson, Michigan, to George and Florence (Baker) Ferguson. His father was a machinist by trade and his mother a nurse's aide.

Dale enjoyed childhood summers visiting relatives in northern Michigan and fox hunting with his father during his teen years. He graduated Jackson High School in June 1951 and began attending Jackson Junior College. In 1953, Dale was baptized and became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Shortly afterward, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1953, and served in the Korean War as a medic through October 1955. Dale's experience in Korea significantly impacted him and he remained interested in Asia for the rest of his life.

Following honorable discharge from the Army, Dale attended Emmanuel Missionary College (EMC) for undergraduate studies through 1962, then graduated Western Michigan University, June 1964, with an Engineering degree. While at EMC, Dale met fellow student Rose Gabriel and they married in June 1961 at Camp Au Sable, MI.

Dale and Rose moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1966, to begin new employment, Dale as a mechanical engineer at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. A son, Kam, was born to them in 1970, and a daughter, Janeen, graced the family in 1976. Dale retired from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in July 1993 and was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Gabriel Ferguson, in February 1995.

Dale ventured to Thailand in 1996 and taught English at a Bangkok area school during the next four years. During this time, he met Rosie Ramos and they married in April 1999 in Thailand. They lived for a short time in Hawaii before moving to Hohenwald.

Numerous trips to Asia would follow, visiting Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. These trips involved visiting family and pursuing mission opportunities, most recently developing a sanitarium in Mindanao, Philippines in 2020. During this 9-month trip, Dale was diagnosed with late stage cancer and with the help of friends and family, he was able to return to the United States in September 2020.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, George (1981) and Florence (1988), and sister Nancy (Galloway, 2009).

He is survived by his brother-in-law Gerald Galloway, brother Carl (Shirley Kubish), his wife Rosie, son Kam (Jodi Straszewski), daughter Janeen (Tim McClellan), granddaughter Makana McClellan, grandsons Joshua and Lucas McClellan, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was held Sunday, December 20, 2 p.m., at Water of Life Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hohenwald. Interment is scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville with military honors.

Adair Funeral and Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements.