Rev. James J. Ferguson

The Reverend James Joseph Ferguson (pastor emeritus), known to all as Mike, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on June 23, 2016. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on July 17, 1931 to the late James Joseph and Helen (Bryce) Ferguson. He grew up with his parents and brother, Bill, in Glenolden, PA.
Mike is survived by his wife, Jacky; children, Jeff (Anne), Jerry Weaver (Phil) and Judy McCarren (Gary); daughter-in-law, Sue Ferguson; as well as grandchildren, Erin (Josh) Bucher and Carrie Ferguson, Hannah, Molly and Will Ferguson, Dylan and Roman Small and Isabel and Paisley Weaver; and great-grandchildren Alexia Gonzalez, Zoe Bucher, Arianna and Jaide Stenger. Mike was predeceased by his son, Jim Ferguson (Sue) and brother-in-law, James Dunbar (Mary).
In addition to their four children, Mike and Jacky loved their extended family so that their many nieces and nephews were cherished as their own. Mike introduced Jacky's twin sister, Jerry, to her husband, Al, in 1960 and since then the four have been inseparable.
After graduating from high school, Mike followed members of his family to work at the Atlantic oil refinery and volunteered with youth ministry in his home church. During a youth trip to Princeton Theological Seminary with his pastor, Stuart Dickson, he heard a divine call to the ministry that led to Mike attending Grove City College and subsequently Princeton Theological Seminary. He paid for his college education by working summers as a crew member on oil tankers sailing from Philadelphia to Texas.
Originally called to Eddington Presbyterian Church in Bristol, PA in 1957, Mike served that congregation until 1965 when his family moved to Carlisle to join Second Presbyterian Church. After moving a growing congregation from S. Hanover St. to Garland Drive, Mike dedicated 31 years to pastoring, preaching, and focusing on vitality and innovation in worship with his Associate Pastor, John L. Larson. The youth ministry grew through their shared vision of active worship through music, drama and outdoor recreation.
Mike, Jacky and their children crisscrossed the country and Canada in their pop-up camper. Mike taught his kids to appreciate the adventures to be found by taking a wrong turn or the road less traveled. He and Jacky loved international travel as well, combining a deep interest in history with a desire to experience the cultural diversity of God's children.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Second Presbyterian Church, 528 Garland Drive, Carlisle, PA; a reception will follow.
Contributions in memory of Mike can be made to the Second Presbyterian Church Mission Outreach Fund or to the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer' Association, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA, 17112.
Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA is handling the arrangements. To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com