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State of Arkansas 1
94th General Assembly 2
Second Extraordinary Session, 2024 SMR 1 3
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By: Senator K. Hammer 5
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SENATE MEMORIAL RESOLUTION 7
TO HONOR THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIO NS OF MR. CURTIS 8
OLAN FERGUSON. 9
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Subtitle 12
TO HONOR THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF 13
MR. CURTIS OLAN FERGUSON. 14
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Olan Ferguson of Benton, Arkansas, passed away on 17
June 16, 2024; and 18
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson moved to Benton from the Crows Station 20
area in the late 1950s; and 21
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson made a living selling appliances and tires 23
for Goodyear and it did not take him long to work his way up to being the 24
youngest manager in the Memphis region; a nd 25
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson met Ms. Vera Richardson of Bryant soon 27
after moving to Benton and they were married; and 28
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson and Mrs. Vera Ferguson had two (2) sons, 30
Wyatt and Bart; and 31
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WHEREAS, in 1963, the Fergusons opened Ferguson's Town & Country 33
Furniture, TVs & Appliances and later built what is now Ferguson's Furniture; 34
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WHEREAS, as a business owner Mr. Curtis Ferguson was outspoken voice 1
for local businesses and led the charge to even the playing field on chargin g 2
online companies the same tax rate as local businesses; and 3
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson was instrumental in the development of the 5
Benton and Bryant area; and 6
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson instilled his work ethic not only in his 8
children but also in his grandchildren by giving them tailor made jobs around 9
the furniture store which were also known as the "Curtis school of hard 10
knocks"; and 11
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson served as the President of the Benton 13
Chamber of Commerce and helped secure the la nd and building where the current 14
Chamber of Commerce is located; and 15
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson was a pilot and enjoyed every aspect of 17
aviation; and 18
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson: 20
(1) Was a larger-than-life figure who had a laugh that infected 21
all who knew him; 22
(2) Was a storyteller at his core and his stories caused roars 23
of laughter from everyone; 24
(3) Lived life with one hundred percent (100%) intentionality, 25
punching a straw in the middle of life and drinking all it had to offer; and 26
(4) Left tangible memories with anyone he came in contact with, 27
especially his grandchildren; and 28
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WHEREAS, Mr. Curtis Ferguson had the rare quality to leave "Curtis 30
sized" impression on people and the Benton community will be forever impacted 31
by his legacy, 32
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NOW THEREFORE, 34
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY -FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 35
STATE OF ARKANSAS: 36 SMR1
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THAT the Senate express sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Curtis 2
Ferguson and commend his contributions to the State of Arkansas. 3
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution shall be 5
provided to the family of Mr. Curtis Ferguson by the Secretary of the Senate. 6
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