The Best Man I've Ever Known

JD was the most alive man I've ever known.  

His funeral was today.

He walked into my life on a public rec bench 28 years ago when our girls were at their first softball practice.  Saturday morning, 10 am.  I'm sitting on the first row watching intently because I'm not the coach.  I'm wanting to make sure the coaches and the girls were into it.

He sits down next to me and says, "Hey, what'cha doing?"

And from that point forward, I can't remember when he wasn't my best friend.  

John David Ferguson was a unique light on our earth.

Born and raised in Denver City, Texas.  

Raised some ruckus in Denver City as the son of the pastor of the local Baptist Church.  

He liked to go fast.  

He admittedly was a tad ADD.  

In college at Baylor, he couldn't sleep.  So, he went on rides with the University Police.  That's where he got his, "Howdy Deputy" greeting.  

JD was passionate about the Gospel, and things that roar.  He went thru phases that I'll always cherish.  Harley-Davidson motorcycles.  Corvettes.  Bass boats.  Airplanes.  Specifically, Cirrus airplanes.  

In his flying phase, he would tune into some FAA channel and listen to air traffic control around the world late at night after he had put the girls to bed and Carol was sound asleep.  

Fourteen months ago, he got news that still doesn't make sense.  Acute leukemia.  He was only supposed to last a week.  

JD fought it like nobody his doctor had ever seen.  Hundreds of hours of chemo.  Never complained and for the most part, didn't have a bad reaction.

A week ago, John David Ferguson died at home.  Peacefully.  In the loving company of his sweet wife Carol and Leslie, Emily and Molly.  

My kids grew up with the Ferguson's.  We are blessed from that.

My wife Lea was close with the Ferguson's before we married.  Lea and I lost a dear friend together.

If you knew JD, you were blessed.

If you didn't know JD, you were prayed for.

John David Ferguson was a Christian.  Christ was in him, and he projected Christ to all he met.  He was full of joy that only comes from knowing that your eternal life is secure.  

John David Ferguson was one of the funniest humans that ever lived.  He created stories and then told them about himself.  

There are hundreds to choose from.  Here's one of my favorites.

JD worked for a global tech firm.  He traveled to Japan and China frequently.  

On one return home, he landed in Vancouver on his way back to Dallas.  

JD had a headache.  A big time headache.  He saw a barber shop in the Vancouver airport.  He asked the barber if he would use his massage machine on his head.  

The barber said yes.  But, the barber had other ideas.  

The barber poured Witch Hazel all over JD's head and proceeded to rub his forehead with a steaming hot towel.  

The net result was JD's hair (meaning he was bald on top with hair still on the sides) was curled up like Bozo.  The rubbing of the barber had created an open sore in the middle of his forehead.  And, he smelled like a drunk bum from all the Witch Hazel.  

And, he still had to fly from Vancouver to Dallas.  The flight attendants were apparently a bit concerned and then in fits of laughter when they heard the story.

John David Ferguson, thank you for choosing me.  Thank you for allowing me into your life.  Thank you for being a man.  Thank you for loving your family so.  

No one on earth knows what Heaven is really like.  

I believe there is laughter there tonight.  I believe you are going fast on some kind of vehicle.  

I love you, John David Ferguson.  

I miss you so hard.  But, I know I'll see you again.  

Can't wait to hear the new stories.