Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Scouter, and retired fire firefighter Burnett Brent Ferguson’s love of life didn’t come to an end with his death. Brent passed away on March 19, 2022, at the age of 74 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease and Congestive Heart Failure. He was surrounded by his family, who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

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Brent was born July 13, 1947, in Salt Lake City, UT to Burnett and Florence Ferguson. He spent his early years with 2 sisters and a brother in Torrance and Rossmoor, CA.

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He had always loved the outdoors and new adventures. Football and Pole Vaulting were his sports of choice in High School, but Brent would most often spend any free time at the beach. He was one of the original members of the Huntington Beach Surfing Association, mentored by the great Duke Kahanamoku in 1965. He was also ranked nationally among United States Surfing Champions. 1965 was also the year graduated from Western High School, in Anaheim, CA.

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After high school, Brent served his first mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to San Antonio, TX. He spent time proselyting and also at the Church’s pavilion at HemisFair ’68 in San Antonio. He had the opportunity to meet many church general authorities and members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

“He loved to say, grandchildren are a parent's reward for not killing their teenagers.”

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Brent liked to joke that is lifelong love, Loralee Bills was waiting at the airport in her wedding clothes when he returned from his mission in 1968. They were married in the Los Angeles Temple on January 3, 1969, and had been married for 53 years. They continued to serve their church with 2 more missions, one to Nauvoo Illinois, and one in their stake, Lake Elsinore, CA. They enjoyed traveling with each other and had many adventures. Whether it was in their fifth wheel, trekking across the country, Hawaii, Scotland, or their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Jerusalem. They relished their time traveling together.

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Brent studied Youth Leadership at Brigham Young University, went on to continuing education at Rancho Santiago and Rio Hondo Community College. In 1975, he studied at USC Mobile Intensive Care/Paramedic School. He went on to a career as a paramedic and firefighter. He served first in Montebello City and had a career of over 25 years in Garden Grove, CA. If you ever asked Brent what he did for a living, he would reply with, I fight fires, save lives and laugh haha in the face of death.

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To have known Brent Ferguson is to love him. He gave over 60 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. He helped 113 young men achieve their Eagle Scout rank. He was also distinguished with the Golden Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver, and countless Eagle Scout mentor pins. He helped many scouts and other young people by creating Explorer Post 213 and shared expense white water rafting trips. This way they could earn their White Water merit badge and other youth groups could have activities without extreme expense. This also led to a love of kayaking which he shared with his family and friends. Brent worked hard and played hard. His legacy will live on through his posterity. He embodied the BSA motto in his personal life as well, Be Prepared.

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In addition to his wife, Loralee Bills Ferguson, he is survived by his children: Noelle Kaiser (Jason), Michelle Mingus (Scott), Jared Ferguson (Maria), Joshua Ferguson (Vanessa), 19 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He loved to say, grandchildren are a parent's reward for not killing their teenagers. Brent loved being a papa, even to the end he would grin ear to ear and talk or play with his grands and greats.

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His funeral service will be held Saturday April 9th, 10 am at The Church of Jesus Christ, 34350 Almond St. Wildomar, CA 92595. The service will be streamed via. Zoom, Meeting ID: 249 643 4100 password: FFFerg13, questions re. Zoom or to request a link please contact: michellemabelle73@gmail.com or text 801-234-9086

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His family will be present to welcome loved ones.

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In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to apdaparkinson.org the American Parkinson's Disease, or furturefirefighters.org Future Firefighters. Thank you.