1 State of Arkansas
2 94th General Assembly
3 Second Extraordinary Session, 2024 HMR 1001
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5 By: Representatives Hawk, Furman, L. Fite, Brooks
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7 HOUSE MEMORIAL RESOLUTION
8 TO HONOR THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. CURTIS
9 OLAN FERGUSON.
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12 Subtitle
13 TO HONOR THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF
14 MR. CURTIS OLAN FERGUSON.
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17 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Olan Ferguson of Benton, Arkansas, passed away on
18 June 16, 2024; and
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20 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson moved to Benton from the Crows Station
21 area in the late 1950s; and
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23 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson made a living selling appliances and tires
24 for Goodyear and it did not take him long to work his way up to being the
25 youngest manager in the Memphis region; and
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27 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson met Ms. Vera Richardson of Bryant soon
28 after moving to Benton and they were married; and
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30 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson and Mrs. Vera Ferguson had two (2) sons,
31 Wyatt and Bart; and
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33 WHEREAS, in 1963, the Fergusons opened Ferguson's Town & Country
34 Furniture, TVs & Appliances and later built what is now Ferguson's Furniture;
35 and
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1 WHEREAS, as a business owner Mr. Curtis Ferguson was outspoken voice
2 for local businesses and led the charge to even the playing field on charging
3 online companies the same tax rate as local businesses; and
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5 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson was instrumental in the development of the
6 Benton and Bryant area; and
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8 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson instilled his work ethic not only in his
9 children but also in his grandchildren by giving them tailor made jobs around
10 the furniture store which were also known as the "Curtis school of hard
11 knocks"; and
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13 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson served as the President of the Benton
14 Chamber of Commerce and helped secure the land and building where the current
15 Chamber of Commerce is located; and
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17 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson was a pilot and enjoyed every aspect of
18 aviation; and
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20 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson:
21 (1) Was a larger-than-life figure who had a laugh that infected
22 all who knew him;
23 (2) Was a storyteller at his core and his stories caused roars
24 of laughter from everyone;
25 (3) Lived life with one hundred percent (100%) intentionality,
26 punching a straw in the middle of life and drinking all it had to offer; and
27 (4) Left tangible memories with anyone he came in contact with,
28 especially his grandchildren; and
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30 WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson had the rare quality to leave "Curtis
31 sized" impression on people and the Benton community will be forever impacted
32 by his legacy,
33
34 NOW THEREFORE,
35 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
36 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
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 HMR1001
1 THAT the House of Representatives express sincere condolences to the
2 family of Mr. Curtis Ferguson and commend his contributions to the State of
3 Arkansas.
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5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution shall be
6 provided to the family of Mr. Curtis Ferguson by the Chief Clerk of the House
7 of Representatives.
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