John E. Ferris

JOHN ESTILL FERRIS, III, 76, passed away from advanced Parkinson’s Disease, December 22, 2019, in Carrollton, Texas, after a long illness. He was born November 12, 1943, in San Antonio, Tx., the son of John Estill Ferris, Jr. and Evelyn Harper Ferris. A Visitation will be held Monday, December 30th from 6 to 8 pm, and a Celebration of Life Service will take place at 10 am on December 31st at The Heartland Church, 4020 Nazarene Drive, Carrollton, Texas, 75010. Interment will be at DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas 75211. John studied Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. Upon enlistment in The United States Marine Corps, he was sent for Officer Flight training. John graduated flight school as a 2nd Lieutenant. From 1966-1971, John served in the United States Marine Corp, serving in Vietnam from 1966 through 1967. In 1967, John was promoted to the rank of Marine Captain after being awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, and twenty-eight combat air medals. After a distinguished military career, John graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. John’s post-military career also included flying as an Americas Airways Chief Pilot and an Air America Pilot, for a division of the Central Intelligence Agency. He followed his flying career managing, programming, and engineering computer systems for Dallas County, FNB Dallas, Exxon Mobile and Northrop Grumman. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Cheryl Snedden Ferris (Sherry) in a military wedding at Tinley Park, Illinois on January 15,1966. They lived a charmed life together and 54 wonderful years of marriage. Serving God as a member of Heartland Church since 1973, he faithfully served as an Elder for 30 years. His service to his church, his country and his family reflected his passionate love for Jesus Christ. He lived by his commitment of love for God, family, and country. For fun, John replaced his “need for speed” in flying with his display of athletics in snow skiing, jet skiing, boating, and world cruising excursions. He is predeceased by his parents, John Estill Ferris Jr, and Evelyn Harper Ferris and his brother, Robin Harper Ferris. He is survived by his wife, Sherry Ferris; his two children, Craig Ferris and his wife, April, and Carrie Ferris Calvert and her husband, Randall; his grandchildren, Kathryn Ferris, Kyle Ferris, Raychel Calvert and Raybecca Calvert, Ellie Lee and Mason Landon; his sister, Dottie Ferris Arfaa, and many other beloved family members. Those wishing to remember him in a special way are requested to designate gifts in his memory to the Legacy Offering at Heartland Church.

John E. Ferris

November 12, 1943 - December 22, 2019