David Lee Ferguson Sr.

David Lee Ferguson, Sr., was in the Air Force for 28 years and retired. He then went to work in the Prince Georges County school system for another 22 years before retiring. During that time, he also worked at a buggy horse race track and retired after working there for 20 years. He and his late wife of 53 years, Muriel, were able to put their three children through college without loans. While true, he was a man of much greater substance, and his life was one of much greater importance.

Born to a young single mother in Ironton, Ohio on August 1st, 1937, David Lee was easy-going, athletic, and understood hard work. He was greatly influenced by his time with his uncle Daniel and aunt Bea, who played a significant role in his upbringing. Upon graduating from Ironton High School, he faced with the choice of going to work in the local steel mill, as many of his friends and family had done-instead, he chose to enlist in the United States Air Force in 1956.

Following basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, he attended jet aircraft mechanic training in Amarillo, Texas. By August of 1956, he was stationed at Sheppards Grove Air Station, United Kingdom where he was a crew chief on F-84F, F-100A, and F-101C aircraft. In October 1959, he was assigned to Langley Air Force Base, in Langley Virginia. While in the Aero Repair branch, he would perform heavy maintenance and inspections on U-3A, U-3B, L-20, C-46, C-47, C-54, C-118, C-119, C-123, T-28, T-39, F-86, F-100, F-101B, F-102, F-106, F-4C, B-57, B-66, and KB-50 aircraft. As his reputation for being a responsible, hard worker grew, he became a member of the Crash Recovery Team that was responsible for the recovery and salvage of all aircraft accidents in the area.

He also met Muriel Ruth Williams, whom he would marry, and spend the next 53 years. As with so many couples, their life together would include playing cards with friends, a love of music, watching sports, and raising children. However, the definition of their union was their love and respect for each other, and a great appreciation of the humor that life brings. They were a genuinely fun and funny couple.

While at Langley, the couple welcomed their first child, Daphne, into the world. In March 1963, the young family travelled to Bitburg, Germany, where their second child, David, Jr. was born. During this time, David, Sr. served as a crew chief on F-105D aircraft as well as flightline expediter, which made him responsible for marshalling the personnel and resources to ensure that aircraft were prepared and brought to a mission-capable state for safe and timely departures. When combined with his extensive knowledge and constant willingness to help others out, his easy-going personality allowed him to motivate and gain the loyalty of those around him.

In April of 1966, the family of four returned to Nellis Air Base, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He continued to serve as a crew chief, flightline expediter, and Flight Chief (senior non-commissioned officer (NCO)) on F-105B and F-15 aircraft within the squadron. From June 1967-1968, he served as a crew chief on F-105D, and F-4 aircraft performing the Wild Weasel (surface to air missile suppression) mission in Korat, Thailand. Despite having only arrived in August, he was selected as the “Most Outstanding Crew Chief” and 388th Tactical Fighter Wing trophy in October 1967.

Upon his return from southeast Asia in 1968, the family moved to Williams AFB in Mesa, Arizona, where he received numerous awards while running the phase dock for USAF flight training program-including establishing a “record high number of aircraft processed through the post-inspection phase: 155 T-38’s & 11 F-5 aircraft.” While at Williams, the family welcomed, Darrin, their 3rd child, into the family. The family returned to Spangdahlem, Germany, where the now Master Sargeant Ferguson, continued to amass awards for his professionalism, work ethic, and ability to mentor young airmen/women. In 1977, he was assigned to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and then to Bolling AFB in Washington D.C. in 1981. After a decorated, 28-year career, in 1984 Senior Master Sargeant David L. Ferguson retired from the US Air Force.

As he was only 46 years old, SMSgt. Ferguson and family moved to the Maryland suburbs, where upon he joined the faculty of the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Oxon Hill School, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Over the next 22 years he would play a vital role in teaching leadership to the students as the program became the largest Junior ROTC program in the country-with as many 650+ students. In addition to traveling with the students to 11 consecutive national military drill team championships, and supervising the summer cadet leadership program, he performed the absolutely vital work of directly ordering & maintaining the inventory necessary to outfit students in regulation USAF Air Force uniforms for the weekly uniform day.

After 22 years of teaching, he retired. In 2008, David and Muriel moved to Wisconsin to be closer to their grown children, and their families. Although his time with Muriel ended in 2013, he continued living a life filled with his children, grand children, and great grandchildren, playing cards, and watching sports. On September 17, 2025, he and his beloved Muriel were reunited in eternity. He is survived by his daughter, Daphne (Greg) Bjorgo, sons David Jr. (Candace) Ferguson, and Darrin (Darnella) Ferguson, granddaughters, Julianna (Jorge), Gabriella (Tay), grandson (Dorian), and great grandchildren, Marianna, Anakin, Freyja, Erick, and numerous cousins and other family.

SMSgt David L. Ferguson was a kind and considerate man, whose easy-going personality was immediately discernable to all who met him. His humor, while ever-present was never at the expense of another. He was a man who plain spoken man whose values were obvious, and his respect and generosity for others was the foundation of his being.

It is undoubtedly true there are myriad men who were better known than he, but few who were better men than he.

David Lee Ferguson, age 88, passed away September 17 at his residence. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Saturday, Oct 4, 2025, 11 am with service to follow at 12 pm. The service will be live streamed and may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/meredithfuneralhome/ Private interment with full military honors will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.