Carl Dwight Ferguson, 67

Carl Dwight Ferguson, 67, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, with his family by his side.

Carl was born in Akron, Ohio, on March 19, 1947, to the late Howard Allyn Vosper and Mary Janet (Croakman) of Buffalo, N.Y. He was raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and received his high school education before moving to Cedar City, Utah, to attend the College of Southern Utah.

In 1970, Carl entered the U.S. Army and served his tour of duty in Vietnam where he was awarded both the Purple Heart and soldier’s Medal of Valor. When Carl was discharged as a Corporal, he returned to Cedar City and worked in construction as a painter. Carl married and began a family.

In 1979, Carl moved to North Idaho and continued in his trade, designing many lasting and beautiful graphics for some of his commercial jobs. He considered his family his dearest gift, and he loved and cared for each member. Carl's passion for skiing was second only to his family. He also enjoyed working in his garden and flower beds. Carl was an active participant in the Bloomsday runs in Spokane for many years. He was also a talented artist in glass etching and stained glass.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mary. He is survived by his loving wife, Claire, of Hayden, ID; stepmother, Janis (Wood) Vosper, of Hillsboro, OH; adoptive father, Graham Ferguson, of Oliver, B.C., Canada; daughters: Hillary Thompson, of Post Falls, ID, and Carrie Johnston, of Rathdrum, ID; sons: Dayne Fay, of Cedar City, UT, and Lange Fay, of Saratoga Springs, UT; granddaughters: Mackenzee, of Post Falls, ID, and Rylie and Maesyn Johnston, of Rathdrum, ID; grandson, Conner, of Cedar City, UT; sisters: Gayle Baxley, of Dalton Gardens, ID, Susan Vosper, of Columbus, OH, and Barbara Dance, of Hillsboro, OH; nieces: Jennifer Ashby, of Hayden, ID, Stephanie Whitworth, of Fort Worth, TX, Sarah (Fender) Fullenkamp, of Hillsboro, OH, Brooke (Dance) Hunt, Brittany Dance and Lydia Dance, of Hillsboro, OH; nephews: Gavin Whitworth, of Fort Worth, TX, and Andrew and Eli Ashby, of Hayden, ID; cousins: Carol (Croakman) Bridle and Suzanne (Croakman) Williams, of Fergus, Ontario, Canada, and Byron Croakman, of Victoria, B.C., Canada.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, April 5, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, and urn committal with full military honors following at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. A gathering of family and friends at noon will be held at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway, Coeur d’Alene. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to www.taps.org or www.americanwidowproject.org. Please visit Carl’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.