While getting their picture snapped at a karate dojo, Jerry Ferguson told his friend, John Jessum, that he would only place his foot on Jessum’s abdomen.
“He then proceeded to fold me over like a pancake,” Jessum said. “Grinning, Jerry helped me up off the floor saying, ‘Well, we wanted it to look realistic.’ Jerry not only made me reach for the stars, he was one of the few that actually showed me the stars.”
Ferguson was all about karate. The world-renowned competitor, coach and referee, who taught the art to hundreds of students, died Nov. 14.
Student Terry Schroeder said Ferguson was an excellent embodiment of Bushido, the martial way.
“Jerry’s command of his skill could be applied like one does a gas pedal on a very fast car,” Schroeder said. “When he needed to accelerate, he did. I saw him do this time and time again while competing. His energy was joyful.”
Instead of telling people what they did wrong, he told people what they did right, his daughter Jordan said. He could make anybody laugh. As a competitor, Ferguson, 47, won medals and awards from around the world. The Snohomish High School graduate served in the Navy on a nuclear submarine.
The man’s heart was strong, said Shihan Robert Martin, owner of Family Karate Center in Everett. Jerry Ferguson studied judo before joining Martin’s class.
“He was so small, his judo uniform was huge on him,” Martin said. “There were brothers on the floor, brats and bullies both of them, and they started in on Jerry. I was in my office, heard the commotion, saw Jerry had one of them down and he was pounding the guy. Jerry was a head smaller than both of them. He was not afraid to go after the challenge.”
Ferguson was preceded in death by his sister, Leslie Ferguson, and his father, Merl Ferguson.
He is survived by his mother, Evelyn; brother, Mickey; sister-in-law, Leslie; sister, Julie; children, Matthew and Jordan; nieces and nephews, Colby, Jeremy, Courtney, Kaitlin, Brianna, Ashley, Erica; grandchildren, Kadyn and Sophia; lifelong friend Clifford Johnson; and soul mate Jodi Ferguson.
The coach knew how to push to get the very most out of each student without them getting discouraged and quitting, said Gary Murphy.
“Sensei said making black belt is like a college artist learning colors: how to mix, pick tools, paper,” Murphy said, using the Japanese term for a teacher in reference to Ferguson. “At black belt, having the tools, he will teach us to paint.”
Children thrived under his tutelage, said Gary Fosmo. It was an honor to study under the master, he added.
“Parents would bring their kids that they were having trouble with and in no time Jerry would give them the gift of discipline, confidence and coordination,” Fosmo said. “People from all walks of life were there: doctors, lawyers, teachers, housewives and kids. Hundreds have passed through his life. And with each he gave them something they needed. He was truly something special.”
Ferguson was a talented carpenter and a pack rat. He never threw anything away, Jessum said. The friends loved to go camping.
Jessum said he’ll never forget Ferguson’s joy in riding jet skis on Lake Stevens or his love for teriyaki.
“His commentary on the world was funny,” Jessum said. “He wasn’t a goof, not like that. He just had a way of looking at the world. When he laughed, you laughed.”
It’s hard to think a man with such vitality is gone, said former student Robin Bernhoft.
“He leaves a gaping hole that cannot be filled,” Bernhoft said. I learned a lot about myself from Sensei – not just that old ‘dogs can learn new tricks,’ but also greater strength, flexibility, physical confidence, sense of self, persistence and discipline. He had very high standards and you didn’t want to disappoint him. That’s probably why he produced so many champions.”
He was such a great guy, Bernhoft said.
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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