James “Doc” Ferguson, age 72, of Valley City, ND, died Tuesday, November 10th at Mercy Hospital in Valley City.  A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 17th at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will be held one hour before the service.  Due to COVID-19, all CDC regulations as to the size of the service, social distancing and masks must be worn at the service.James “Doc” Ferguson, the son of James and Mary (Carr) Ferguson, was born February 29, 1948 in Rome, NY.  James grew up and attended school in Rome, NY and graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1966.  In High School, James played the string base in the orchestra and played at the World’s Fair.  He was also interested in forensic science which he used during his military career.  After his graduation from High School, James attended the University of Colorado in Denver.  On March 14, 1968 he enlisted in the US Airforce and served his country doing two tours of duty in Viet Nam.  He was honorably discharged on June 3, 1975.  On June 23, 1973 he married Mary Beth Patch in Williston, ND.  The couple lived in Rome, NY for 2.5 years where James was admitted to the Management Engineering Team.  While in New York, the couple had their first child, Charles.  The family then moved to Grand Forks, ND where James was a full time student at the University of North Dakota.  While attending school in Grand Forks, he started a business called International Cuisine.  In 1978, he moved to Williston, ND where James began working in the oil fields.  While in Williston, their second child Aaron was born.  James was a hard worker and fast learner who eventually became a manager for the company.  He worked in Williston, ND, Casper, WY where is daughter Bethany was born and Dickinson, ND.  In, 1983 he moved to Oklahoma City, OK where he began doing construction work.  In 1985, he moved to Trenton, ND where he started his own property maintenance company ITA (I’ll Try Anything) Property Maintenance.  He ran this company from 1988 until 1990 when he moved to Fairview, OK.  While in Fairview, he started a company called Secondary Containment which he owned and operated until 1993.  In 1993, he became a salesman for Trane Heating and Cooling Company.  James and Mary Beth Moved to Valley City, ND in 2019 to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.  James worked many jobs during his lifetime, he was a true Management Engineer that mastered all tasks that he took on.  James was a member of the API (American Petroleum Institute) and a Deacon of the Central Christian Church in Fairview, OK.

James is survived by his wife, Mary Beth, Valley City, ND; three children, Charles (Sarah) Ferguson, Aaron (Christina) Ferguson, all Oklahoma City, OK and Bethany Carr, Valley City, ND; his grandchildren, Charlie Ferguson, Xander Ferguson, Marcus Ferguson, James Carr and Ethan Carr.

James was preceded in death by his parents.