(From Derfelt Funeral Home)Curtis Jerry Ferneau left this earth on Memorial Day at approximately 4:30 a.m. after a sudden and short illness. He was 89.
Dad was a lifelong Joplin resident and told many stories of growing up in a time now forgotten by most. He loved fishing and hunting with his brother Jim. They spent their childhood squirrel hunting, fishing shoal creek and swimming at Leonard Park.
Our grandma Ferneau told a story once of how she went to the riverbank near Reddings Mill to check on dad and Jim because a big storm had come through. They were eating pancakes and she asked how they had mixed the batter. They told her they had used the minnow bucket! Dad was also a lifelong baseball fan and in 1950 was fortunate enough to batboy for Mickey Mantle at the old Miners Park in Joplin.
After graduating from Joplin High in 1952 dad attended Joplin Junior College and prepared himself for a career in engineering. He later worked as a tool designer and NC programmer at Rocketdyne in Neosho, an aerospace company where rocket and missile engines were designed, built and tested. In the late 60's dad assisted in the design of the Saturn 5 rocket engine used in the Apollo 11 first ever moon landing. Dad spent the last 26 years of his career working at RGS engineering in Joplin.
Dad married our mother, Sharon K Sanders on February 9th 1963. There is no doubt mom was dads best friend and he knew he was lucky to have her. They raised their family in our small rock house on Ozark street one block from Leonard park with love, respect and discipline. We had little money but we were rich in many ways. They both loved their kids enough to tell us no and we were better off for it. Later, they enjoyed trips together to places like Charleston SC and Laughlin NV. Dad lost his best friend a few months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. He was never the same and we fully understand.
After graduating from Joplin High in 1952 dad attended Joplin Junior College and prepared himself for a career in engineering. He later worked as a tool designer and NC programmer at Rocketdyne in Neosho, an aerospace company where rocket and missile engines were designed, built and tested. In the late 60's dad assisted in the design of the Saturn 5 rocket engine used in the Apollo 11 first ever moon landing. Dad spent the last 26 years of his career working at RGS engineering in Joplin.
Dad married our mother, Sharon K Sanders on February 9th 1963. There is no doubt mom was dads best friend and he knew he was lucky to have her. They raised their family in our small rock house on Ozark street one block from Leonard park with love, respect and discipline. We had little money but we were rich in many ways. They both loved their kids enough to tell us no and we were better off for it. Later, they enjoyed trips together to places like Charleston SC and Laughlin NV. Dad lost his best friend a few months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. He was never the same and we fully understand.
Dad's work ethic was unquestioned. He had a tough no excuses outlook on life but also taught us fairness, reflection and reality. My dad once said to me, "keep plugin". This was his way of telling me don't give up. I won't dad. None of us will. Thanks for being our dad.
Dad is survived by his brother Jim of Columbia, daughter Debbie of Joplin, son Tim of Joplin, son Jeff of Ozark, Missouri, as well as numerous grandchildren.
Mr. Ferneau has been entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena for cremation. The family will host a graveside memorial service at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin, MO. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
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