Ferguson N Camp

Ferguson N Camp returned to his heavenly home December 15, 2023, with his wife of 67 years, Myrna, by his side. Ferg, as he was known by most, was born to the late Waldamere and Nona (Nye) Camp on August 15, 1936, in Pleasantview, ID. The third of five children, Ferg was a hard worker from the start, milking cows at the age of 5 with his older brother Baxter. He spent his youth all over southern Idaho, moving 16 times before graduating from Gooding High School in 1954.

All that moving created a desire to plant deep roots, which he did after seeing Myrna Hendrickson in a musical performance. In classic Ferg fashion, his first words to his future bride were, “It sounded real good ’til I took the cotton out of my ears.” Whether it was his teasing flattery or chocolate brown eyes, he won her over and they were married February 16, 1956, in Jerome, ID with a sealing following in the Salt Lake Temple.

Ferg wanted to start a career to support his new family, so early in 1957 he started barber college in Salt Lake City, UT. He flew through the ranks, achieving “first chair” barber in a matter of weeks. He remained there until he graduated in the fall of that same year. After graduation, they returned to the Magic Valley where Ferg got a job at the Rogerson's Hotel Barber Shop in Twin Falls, ID. From there, he went to Orville Rutherford’s shop on East Main in Jerome, ID. When Rutherford moved, he bought the shop and it became “Ferg’s Barber Shop.” He never took appointments in his 46 years in business, but his clients would wait for two hours to get what the teenage customers would call, “Fergacized.”

Just as his clientele grew, so did his family. In seven years Ferg and Myrna welcomed two sons, Stacey and Val, and a daughter, Shari. They built a home in northwest Jerome with large picture windows that had sunset views of their acreage and ended up with sunrise views of an overpass. They thought another child was in their future, but they didn’t expect a 16-year gap between Shari and their youngest daughter, Jill.

He enjoyed caring for their yard and property. Ferg created his dream mini-ranch when they acquired registered Polled Hereford Cattle. The only time animals were allowed in the house was during calving season when the occasional calf would warm up in the laundry room. Ferg loved people. He never met a stranger, as anyone who he came in contact with can attest. Though he considered himself a humble barber, those who sat in his chair often left with wise counsel in addition to their haircut.

He retired in 2005 to serve the Lord on an LDS mission with his sweetheart. Ferg and Myrna served as Employment Specialists in the Michigan Detroit Mission from 2005 to 2007. After returning home, he spent his time woodworking, even constructing his own casket out of recycled barn wood.

Ferg left behind a legacy of love and service for his posterity. He is survived by his wife, Myrna; his sons, Stacey (Terry) Camp and Val (Debbie) Camp; and his daughters, Shari (Ben) Bird and Jill (Aaron) Swensen; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Baxter (Leah, dec.) Camp, Sandra (Mike, dec.) Reeder, and Dian (Joe) Faigl. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Geraldine (Wayne, dec.) Thornock.

A viewing will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S Lincoln Ave, Jerome. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, December 29, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jerome Stake Center, 26 N Tiger Dr, Jerome. Grave dedication will conclude at the Jerome Cemetery.