Ian Kerr Ferguson

Ian Kerr FergusonJune 24, 1957 April 18, 2020Ian Kerr Ferguson, of Darvel, Scotland and then Toledo, Ohio, passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning on April 18, 2020 after a courageous, seven-month-long battle with liver cancer.Born to Hugh and Peggy Ferguson in Kilmarnock on June 24, 1957, Ian settled in Darvel, Scotland. He started at Darvel Primary School from 1962-1969, the same school that his daughters attended and now his grandchildren currently attend. He then continued on to Loudoun Academy from 1970-1975 [the Scottish equivalent of an American high school] where he excelled both in academics and sports. Like most Scotsmen, his sport of choice was, in his words, REAL football - not the American throw-ball version you have.Ian worked in the Scottish textile industry for many years, becoming a well-respected member of staff. His first company, Basford Dyers/Darvel Textiles, sent him to Paisley College of Technology, where he earned his City & Guilds qualification in Fabric and Textile Dyeing. Upon leaving college, he worked at Chilton Textiles in Girvan until 1980. He then settled in Darvel, where he started a family and began working at Moonweave Ltd. in the neighboring town of Newmilns, as a Textile Chemist.During his free time, he enjoyed playing darts with his mates and eventually became an award-winning darts champion.After retiring from Moonweave Ltd. in 1997, and recovering from a double hip replacement, Ian worked as a debt collector while he enjoyed life with his three beautiful daughters. He traveled, enjoyed a pint or two at his local pub, and experienced the joys of early online gaming; his favorite being Yahoo! Euchre. It was here in 2001, that fate dealt him a hand that would change his life foreverDuring a regular game of Euchre, Ian fergsback Ferguson was randomly matched up with an American player named Debbie, with whom he would form an inexplicable bond. After many months of deepening the online/offline friendship, Ian took a leap of faith and traveled across the pond to Toledo, Ohio to meet her face-to-face. It was literally love at first sight for both of them. After an eight month, long distance relationship, Ian and his Debs were married on May 9, 2003 and Ian instantly welcomed her three children into his life as they welcomed him into theirs.While in Toledo, Ian realized his Scottish brogue would earn him a lucrative career as a Specialty Salesman. He worked for such companies as Rainbow Vacuum, Champion Windows, Matthews Ford, WaterBoy Systems, Google, ADT Security Services, and most recently, American Fence and Supply. Ians favorite pastimes included doting on his wife, cooking for his family and friends, traveling, especially to Scotland and Australia, cruising, playing golf, singing karaoke, hanging out with his three-year-old sidekick Benny, taking his dog Dudley to the lake, and spending time with his pals at his favorite Toledo bar, Daffys Thirsty Duck.As evidenced, Ian lived his life to the fullest, smiling all the way. He knew no enemies; everyone was his friend. He will be remembered as someone who lived passionately and loved fiercely. His legacy for good will live on in his wifes love, his childrens smiles, and his grandchildrens laughter. Ian is survived by his loving wife, Deborah Jean Ferguson; parents, Hugh and Peggy Ferguson; daughters, Donna (Matthew) Ferguson, Leanne (John) Ferguson, Sharon (Callum) Hunter, Cherilyn (Adam) Pickle; sons, Christian (Loradel) von Maluski and Nicholas (Melani) von Maluski; sister, Margaret (John) Merrill; nieces, Alana Murphy, Samantha Young and Ashley Wragg; nephew, Ryan Henderson and grandchildren, Kim, Paige, Connor, Jamie, Benjamin, Jameson, Natalia, Madeline, Ollie, and Baby Henderson.There will be a Celebration of Life held after restrictions from COVID-19 are lifted. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Victory Center or Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Ians name.