James Delmar Ferguson, age 85 of East Liverpool, Ohio passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at his home. He was born May 14, 1930 in Empire, Ohio, the son of the late Claude Corliss Ferguson and Anna Margaret Kearns Ferguson.

He graduated from Toronto High School in 1948 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Steubenville (Franciscan University). He was an Army veteran serving as a radio operator in Alaska during the Korean War. James had taught biology and chemistry at East Liverpool High School and had been a health inspector for Jefferson County, Ohio as well as for the city of East Liverpool, retiring in the spring of this year. He had also held the position of director of playgrounds for the East Liverpool Recreation Department.

He was honored as a fifty year member of the Masonic fraternity of New Philadelphia, Ohio Lodge #177 in 2006. He was a member of the First Christian Church of East Liverpool. He frequently played his violin at local churches, weddings, dinners and other events.

James was preceded in death by his wife Patricia L. Custer Ferguson in 2010. They had married on July 7, 1952. He is survived by his sons, Jess Ferguson and wife Betsy of Oak Ridge, NJ and Michael Ferguson of San Francisco, CA; grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Lynn and Mark; and a sister, Lois Beasley of Toronto, Ohio.

A memorial service is planned for October 24th at the East Liverpool High School Alumni Association Building (The Clock Tower), 216 E. Fourth St., East Liverpool. It will be open from 1 to 5 P.M.. The memorial service will begin at 3:30 P.M. and last approximately half an hour. The Tri-County Burial Group will present the United States flag following services.

Donations rather than flowers, please send to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512 or Grace Hospice of Ohio, 7206 Market St., Suite B, Youngstown, OH 44512 or the East Liverpool High School Alumni Association.

James' arrangements are in the care of the Clarke Funeral Home, 302 Main St., Toronto.

To send condolences to the family, go to www.clarkefuneralhome.com