Donald Ferguson, formerly of Needville, Texas, passed away in his home surrounded by his family in Austin, Texas, on February 12, 2018. Donald was born July 25, 1931, in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was the son of Roy and Grace Ferguson and grew up near the community of Mount Zion in East Texas. He graduated from Linden High School in 1948. He served his country in the US Navy for four years during the Korean Conflict.

While in the Navy, Donald's family moved to Needville and he joined them there after his discharge. He met his future wife, Aileen Gaubatz, on the day he arrived in Needville. They married at the E & R Church in Needville on November 23, 1955. They have three daughters, Kathy Martin, Donna Chandler, and Linda Buning.

Donald and Aileen farmed cotton and raised cattle in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties for over forty years. Donald served the City of Needville as both City Judge and Mayor in the 1980's. In 1998, they moved to Austin to be near their grandchildren.


Donald was preceeded in death by his parents Roy & Grace Ferguson, brother Buford (Fred) Ferguson, sisters, Dorothy Raska and Wanda Zbranek, and grandson Bryan Chandler.

He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Aileen Ferguson; daughters Kathy Martin and husband Jerry of Matagorda, Donna Chandler and Linda Buning both of Austin; grandchildren Kim Koether Rudolph and husband Hans of Denver, Colorado, Matthew Koether of Lake Jackson, Texas, Carrie Chandler Giddens and husband Craig of Frisco, Texas, and Kate Buning of Austin, Texas; great grandchildren Ryan, Liam and Evelyn Giddens of Frisco,Texas.

Services will be held Thursday, February 15th at Immanuel Evangelical Church 9018 Church Street, Needville, Texas 77461. Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 pm at the church, preceding the funeral service at 2 pm with the Rev. George Kuebler officiating. Burial will be in Needville Public Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

Memorial gifts in Donald's honor may be made to the Needville Public Cemetery, P O Box 1331, Needville, TX 77461.

Condolence messages may be written for the Ferguson family at www.garmanycarden.com.

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 3103 School Street, Needville, TX 77461 (979)793-4515.