Former Boone County Judge-executive Bruce Ferguson has died at age 86.
Ferguson, who served as judge-executive from 1964 until 1982 and again from 1986 until 1992, passed away at an assisted living facility late Sunday evening.
Bruce Ferguson at a ‘dig’ at Big Bone Lick.
His contributions as the county’s leader were tremendous, but were just a part of his legacy.
Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore credits Ferguson with putting Boone County on the path to economic success and prosperity.
“Boone County would not be what it is today without the tremendous leadership and vision of Bruce Ferguson,” Moore said. “We are saddened to hear this tragic news (and) our hearts and prayers go out to the family and many friends of Bruce Ferguson.”
Among Ferguson’s many accomplishments was helping to establish the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED).
Dan Tobergte, president and CEO of Tri-ED, said his relationship with Ferguson began when the judge-executive gave him an opportunity to work for the county fresh out of college.
“His trust in the opportunity for a public-private partnership to handle economic development was quite instrumental in Tri-ED’s early success,” Tobergte said. “He not only embraced the concept, but furthered the notion that all three counties could and should work together on economic development.”
Ferguson’s daughter, Patty Hayden, said it’s hard to put into a few words just what her father meant to Northern Kentucky.
“He touched so many people and had such an impact on Boone County,” Hayden said. “I don’t think a lot of people realize the number of changes that occurred and how much he anticipated the needs of the county in the future when he started out in the 60s.”
When Ferguson took office for his first term in 1964, the population of Boone County was about 22,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
When he began his final term in 1990, that number had jumped to more than 57,000 and an area that was once dominated by farmland was well on its way to becoming one of the most prosperous and economically diverse in the state.
Ferguson downplayed his role in Boone County’s success, choosing instead to credit the work of others and the development of the interstate system and an international airport for its prosperity.
“That was kind of his nature,” Hayden said. “He always said it took a lot of people to have success and he felt, too often, people took too much credit for things. He was not one of those people.”
Ferguson was born in Covington in 1929, son of Walter and Shirley Rice Ferguson.
He studied law and Agriculture at the University of Kentucky from 1947-1951. In 1967, he earned a BA in history and political science from Thomas More College.
His long political career began with the Boone County Board of Education, where he first served from 1955-1961.
Ferguson was named Boone County Conservation District Cooperator of the Year in 2005. (Photo from Boone County Landscapes, 2005)
In later years, Ferguson recalled his first foray into politics fondly.
“I ran unopposed in that first race, so I felt pretty good about that one,” he said.
In 1964, Ferguson was elected County Judge for Boone County.
Again he was lighthearted in remembering the victory, saying he finished second the first time he sought the office, and the guy that beat him had died, so he liked his chances.
Ferguson, a Democrat, served first until 1982, then returned to the position from 1986-1992.
Other landmark accomplishments during his tenure as Judge-executive included helping to spearhead the county’s first hospital, as well as a county water system.
In 1992, Ferguson accepted a position as commissioner of the Department of Local Governments, serving until 1996. He then returned to Boone County and served on the Boone County Soil Conservation Board, retiring in 2001.
He had been active in the community and contributed as a member of a number of civic groups. In addition to his work on the Boone County Conservation Board, he contributed to the history of Boone County in many ways throughout the years.
He served as president of the Big Bone Historical Association in its early days, and was instrumental in the effort to establish Big Bone Lick State Park.
Ferguson spoke often of going down to the salt springs that give the park its name as a youngster and wanting to preserve it for future generations.
Florence Mayor Diane Whalen described Ferguson as a gentleman farmer who loved Boone County.
“He helped lay the foundation for this county, which allowed us to continue to develop and prosper,” Whalen said. “His dedication and years of service to Boone County and to the Commonwealth leaves a legacy few will match.”
Whalen attended Boone County High School with Ferguson’s children and her father, C.M. “Hop” Ewing, was mayor of Florence during Ferguson’s tenure as judge-executive.
Ferguson continued to support his favorite Boone County organizations right to the end.
Patty Hayden said her father attended the annual Dinsmore Homestead Derby Party celebration Saturday and seemed to be in good spirits.
Ferguson had experienced some health problems in recent years and Hayden said the family thinks that may have contributed to his passing.
“On Sunday he called and said he wasn’t coming out because he wasn’t feeling well,” Hayden said. “My sister stopped by and he was feeling worse so she called for an ambulance, but it was very sudden.”
Ferguson and his wife Elizabeth (Reynolds), who preceded him in death, were married for more than 50 years and have five children.
Stith Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, but in accordance with Ferguson’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.
The family will plan a memorial get-together, tentatively scheduled for mid-June at Farm Haven, the family farm in Union.
Ferguson will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered on the farm, also in accordance with his wishes.
As a young reporter right out of college, Bruce went out of his way to help me understand politics and the history of Boone County and he was always friendly. He understood the better he explained the background for an upcoming story, the better chance it would be correct. I learned several things from covering him about interviewing and working with people that have helped me over the years. His generation really built the foundation for the growth in Northern Kentucky.
I remember him working at a gas station, before he entered politics. He was always unassuming and amiable. My parents, as educators, were always fond of him. Condolences to Patty and those he left behind. He was a fine man.
In the 1970s I was in Mrs,. Moreland’s class at AM Yealey, right across the hall from Mrs. Ferguson’s room, and across so many years I remember the day Judge Ferguson came and our classes combined as he showed us artifacts and fossils from Big Bone, and ever since I’ve been interested in archaeology.
What an inspiring life Judge Ferguson lived!