John Flint Ferguson died peacefully at home on June 9, 2026, surrounded by loved ones gathered around him sharing stories, tears, laughter and love. Just shy of 83, he never pressed pause on a life full of activity, friends, family, golf, travel and the occasional bad joke. Born June 26, 1943, to Dr. John P. Ferguson, Jr., and Helen Flint Ferguson in St. Louis, Missouri, he entered this world with a contagiously boyish zest to explore, define and comprehend all that he could. Along with being a lifelong golfer, he pursued and thrived in a wide range of outdoor athletics throughout his eight decades—from alpine hiking to heli-skiing to epic bike rides through foreign lands. Not only was he a formidable athlete, he also had a rigorous intellect and a surprisingly sentimental heart (especially for one whose life work required a high level of precision in both judgment and execution). He was a board-certified neurosurgeon and practiced at the Springfield Neurological Group from 1978 until he retired in 2013.

John was raised in Springfield and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1961. He went on to Yale University where he studied English literature. He maintained a passion for reading, writing and language throughout his life. He graduated in 1965 and continued his education at St. Louis University Medical School. After graduation there he went on for internship and residency first at Yale-New Haven hospital for one year followed by four more years at the University of Colorado in Denver. While in New Haven John married his first wife, Margaretta Poler, and they had one child, Kathleen. They later divorced.

He established his initial medical practice in Grand Junction, Colorado where he met the love of his life, Jeris Elaine Prior, and they married on May 31,1978. They began their passionate 48-year adventure together by moving back to Springfield with her daughters, Andrea and Jill. John relished living close to his brother, Jim, and father, John, and began developing a rich circle of friends, patients, co-workers and colleagues. It is hard to meet someone in Springfield who is more than a couple of degrees removed from his indelible imprint on the community. He is deeply respected and loved by many.

John was caring and generous in his role as father, grandfather, brother and husband. He had the rare capacity to see and understand multiple perspectives and to mediate difficult moments with delicacy for all involved. He is survived by his loving wife Jeris; daughter Kathleen Olson her husband Adam and son Kade (14); daughter Andrea Turner her husband Chad and daughters Channing (23) and Hollis (20); and daughter Jill Roberts (aka Mizu) and her partner Lindsay. Also surviving are his brother Jim and his wife Anna, niece Mindy Ferguson and her children Blake (12), Beau (8) and Britt (7); nephew Harwood Ferguson and niece Carlee Brown her husband Miles and boys Beckham (11) and Palmer (8).

While in residency he was a member of the U.S. Army reserves. Upon his return to Springfield John was a member of the Greene County Medical Society and a member of the Missouri State Medical Society. He was a member of Hickory Hills Country Club for most of his lifetime as well as a member of the Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. He served on the board of Hickory Hills from 2000 to 2009. Following his father’s lead in serving the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), John served on their board from 2006 to 2013 and was President of the board in 2011. Upon his departure from service on the board, he was awarded the John P. Ferguson Child Advocacy Award (named after his father). John loved the practice of medicine and his association with countless patients over the years. He served both Cox and St. John’s (now Mercy) hospitals. He was known as an extremely caring physician over the many years he practiced.

Golf was central to every chapter of his life. He won numerous tournaments during his high school years including the Hickory Hills Junior Championship and the Springfield City Junior Championship. He played all four years on the Yale University team. In 1996 he was the Hickory Hills Country Club Senior Champion. Shooting your age is one of golf’s most difficult achievements, and John did it every year starting at age 71. Perhaps most extraordinarily, he shot a 74 on the Apache course at Desert Mountain just six weeks before his passing. He will be missed by many of his golf buddies, both here in Springfield and in Scottsdale.

In a letter he recently wrote to one of his granddaughters, he offered only one piece of advice, “Don’t waste a minute of your time- it is the most valuable thing (along with health) that you have!!” May we all heed his example and his advice.

Following a private family graveside service, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, there will be a Celebration of Life from 4-6 p.m., with eulogies at 5pm, on Sunday, June 14 at Hickory Hills Country Club. All friends are invited to join.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on his behalf to the Child Advocacy Center. childadvocacycenter.org