Charles David Ferguson
Charles David Ferguson of Concord Township, Ohio, passed away on July 20 after a long battle with cancer.
Dave was born December 23, 1941, at 1020 Belford Street in Caldwell, Ohio, the son of Fredrick William Ferguson and Dorothy (née Tom) Ferguson.
He spent the first 18 years of his life in Caldwell, growing up alongside his brother Tom and younger siblings Ken and Kathy. From an early age, Dave developed a deep love for sports, hard work, and a desire to see the world—passions that became lifelong pursuits. In high school, he excelled athletically and was a varsity athlete in baseball, football, and basketball by his sophomore year. His tough defensive play earned him the nickname “Man Mountain Dean” from the local newspaper.
Dave graduated from Marietta College in 1963 with a B.S. degree, and later served his alma mater as both Trustee and Chairman over a decade of service.
He married Mae Breitinger in 1966 and settled in McConnelsville, Ohio. They welcomed two sons: Andrew David (b. 1973, wife Kate) and Benjamin William (b. 1975, wife Asami). In 1976, the family relocated to Concord Township, Ohio.
Dave began a 35-year career at Gould Inc., interrupted only by his service in the Ohio Army National Guard. Over the years, he held many leadership roles and eventually became CEO, serving from 1988 until his retirement in 2001. His career fulfilled his boyhood dream of seeing the world—but as a devoted father, he would often take long international flights home just to make it to a weekend game of HORSE, throw pop-ups and grounders to his sons, or cheer from the stands at a basketball game or swim meet.
In 1996, Dave married Kathleen (née Terriaco) Ferguson. For the next 29 years, he was blessed with a loving and devoted partner. Through their marriage, he gained three wonderful stepsons—Wayne, Shawn, and Michael—and their families, who loved and cared for Dave as deeply as he cared for them.
Dave was a voracious reader and lifelong learner, with a remarkable memory and a natural gift for numbers. Long before the internet, he was a walking encyclopedia—memorizing the World Almanac and quoting facts with ease. He loved geography, fueled by his deep curiosity about the world. Musically, it began and ended with Elvis. He frequently quoted the aphorisms of Benjamin Franklin and his mother in equal measure.
It’s hard to summarize Dave’s life in paragraphs. His honors and awards were too numerous to list. His professional achievements, rising from modest beginnings, were a reflection of the American dream. He was perceptive, wise, and intellectually curious—a scholar of life. But perhaps most importantly, his life teaches us three enduring lessons.
First: Dave believed in the power of hard work. Patience and persistence were his counsel. From delivering newspapers at 5 a.m. in Caldwell to leading a global company. From a child with a speech impediment to a confident public speaker. Through a 20-year battle with cancer. Dave believed that with focus and effort, “you make your own luck in life.”
Second: Though honored many times in his professional and charitable life, Dave remained humble. One quiet source of pride was being named a Noble County Ambassador in 1980. He never stopped honoring his roots—Noble County, Ohio, the poorest county in the state, he would proudly remind people. His upbringing wasn’t a burden; it was a superpower. He felt underestimated, and he embraced being the underdog. In his final days, he reminded us, “I had a pretty good life for a kid from Caldwell, Ohio.” Never were truer words spoken.
Third: Dave believed that love and family were what truly mattered. There are many ways to measure a life, but to Dave, this was the one that counted. It would be hard to find someone who loved more—or was more loved.
Dave is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Andrew and Benjamin, brother Ken, sister Kathy, and five grandchildren: Josette Marietta (b. 2008), Colton David (b. 2015), Dean Massato William (b. 2017), Caleb Christopher (b. 2018), Elena Mae (b. 2018). He treasured summers on Cape Cod, especially the joyful chaos of visits from his grandchildren. Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his elder brother Tom.
Though his illness was prolonged, Dave lived every day as a gift—each one more chance to be with his wife, family, and grandchildren. He fought for every single day. Dave left this world exactly as he hoped: at peace, surrounded by those he loved—and with Ohio State as the reigning national champions.
A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at Kirtland Country Club on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The service will begin depending on the kickoff time of the Ohio State–Penn State game. Dave would have wanted it that way.
The family wishes to thank University Hospitals for their outstanding care over nearly four decades. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave’s honor to University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center UH-Seidmann-Donations
Celebration Location: Kirtland Country Club 39438 Kirtland Rd
Willoughby, Ohio 44094