Thomas James Ferguson, affectionately known as T. J., was born July 31, 1949, to the late W. C. Ferguson and Earline Franklin. He grew up in Homer, LA. One of three children, his brother, Willie, preceded him in death.

T. J. attended school in Homer, LA, and graduated from Mayfield High School in 1967. After graduation, he committed to serving his country in the United States Army, and part of his service took him to Vietnam, where he fought in the war. After he returned home from his service, he decided to continue his education at Grambling College. T. J. immediately recognized the racial injustice in our community and our country and became active in an effort to bring about change. He became an active member of the NAACP.

To this union with his first wife, two daughters were born; one, Vanessa, preceded him in death. He later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he remarried, and his wife, Mary, also preceded him in death.

T. J. leaves to cherish his memories: three daughters, Angela Ferguson of Tulsa, OK, Demita Calome of Minden, LA, and Fatima Calome of Homer, LA; two sons, Terrance (Robbie) Thompson of Homer, LA, and Michael (LaToya) Frazier of Cedar Hill, TX; one sister, Dorothy Marie Wright of Berkeley, CA; sixteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two special cousins, Laura Sue Kendrick and Mickey Ferguson and a host of other relatives and friends.