July 8, 1925 – December 21, 2024

Sherman, Texas -- It is with heavy hearts we report the December 21st passing of our beloved father and the leader of our family – Mr. Ray Ferman, Jr.  He was born on July 8, 1925 in North Webster, Indiana.  At the age of 99 he continued to be personally involved in the lives of his large extended family.  He loved being surrounded by his family and enjoyed watching the kids grow up, helping each and every one of them along the way.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Anita Faye Brewer Ferman.  He is survived by his four children:  Roger Ferman and his wife Paulette, Richard Ferman and his wife Debbie, Douglas Ferman and his wife Kim, and Renita Ferman Howard and her husband David.

Ray was PaPaw to eight granddaughters:  Monica, husband Jon Waters, and their children Blake and Molly, Amy, husband Brady Porter, and their children Eli, Riley and Addison, Valerie Ferman, and her sons Tristan and his wife Jennifer, and Trevor, Emily, husband Heath Bush, and their children Chloe and Connor, Erin Ferman, and her daughter Grace, Tiffany Oliphant, and her sons Gavin and Preston, Sarah, husband Jamie Baker, and their daughter Scottie, Madison, husband Matthew Green, and their children Mabel, Mayes and Fiona.

In addition to 16 great-grandchildren, he had 4 great-great-grandchildren: Sofia, Rowen, Sayla and Mateo, plus a slew of nieces and nephews!

As Major Ray Ferman, Jr. he served as Senior Pilot in the US Air Force from 1943-1963.  He flew for 6 months on the Berlin Airlift, as well as 50 night-missions in the Korean War, flying mostly C47, B26, T33 and B57.  Among various assignments he served tours in Germany and France, and was twice based at Perrin Air Force Base.

During his first assignment at Perrin he met Anita Faye Brewer from Sherman, and in 1946 they were married prior to him being stationed overseas.  As a result of his military service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.  In addition to all their traveling for the USAF, he and Anita spent several years working in Australia, and Ray continued to work and travel for Boeing until he was 80 years old.  He and Anita were very active volunteers for Meals on Wheels in Sherman for over 20 years and he continued to help out every day after he lost Anita in 2015, up until just a few weeks before his death.

Ray leaves behind his beloved family and a long list of close friends.  He will be greatly missed by many.

Visitation with the family will be Friday, January 3, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, at First Methodist Church of Sherman followed by his burial at Cedarlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ray’s honor to Meals on Wheels of Texoma.  They may be mailed to 2626 Hilltop Drive, Sherman, TX  75090 (please note on check “In memory of Ray Ferman”) or online at www.mowot.org (click green DONATE button and flag the gift “In Memory of Ray Ferman”).