FERRELL A. GRESHAM
passed away on November 11, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.
He was affectionately known to family and friends as “Big” or “Big Daddy”, a title he adored.
A longtime Sherwood resident, he was born on November 2, l935, in El Dorado, Ark., to Ed and Norma Gresham. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1953, and married his high school sweetheart, Martha Deason, on June 12 of 1955. Following high school, Ferrell attended Radio and TV Engineering School in Tyler, Texas, and upon graduation was employed by Radio Enterprises, Inc. of El Dorado (KELD), as engineer and later as News and Sports Director, a position he held for 13 years., In 1966 Ferrell had the opportunity to join Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arkansas, in the Professional Relations Division. It was a perfect job for his outgoing personality and the ability to communicate with people. The company moved Ferrell and his family to Little Rock, in 1969, and he spent 30 great years with them until his retirement in 1966.
Ferrell always had a strong belief in the importance of public service and volunteering in the community. He served Union County, as Deputy Coroner from 1958 to 1966, and as the Civil Defense Rescue Director from 1958 to 1969. He helped organize the El Dorado-Union County Fire Rescue Unit, and was serving as the units Chief before moving to central Arkansas in 1969. He joined the Sylvan Hills Volunteer Fire Department in the fall of 1969, one day after moving to the community. His reputation followed him, as Sylvan Hills had already been alerted that he was on his way and would be an asset to their department. They welcomed him with open arms and he served them in many capacities including Assistant Chief before retiring in 1984. In his retirement, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons-inlaws and grandsons, and traveling and camping with Martha and their family and friends around our beautiful country. He was a lifelong supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks and was a season ticket holder for both football and basketball for many years. He was a member of Park Hill Presbyterian Church in North Little Rock and always enjoyed his friendship and work with the Men’s Group of the church.
Ferrell is survived by Martha, his wife of 65 years, his daughters, Lindy (Charles) Burns of Sherwood, Beth (Matt) Lamar of Jacksonville, three of the greatest grandsons in the world, Jon Burns, Kemah, Texas, Jeff (Kim) Burns, Stuttgart, Ark., and Chris Lamar, Fayetteville, and four precious great-grandchildren, Addison and Parker Burns and Harper and Hayes Burns, and his brother Ralph Gresham and his family of Springdale. Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents.
An outdoor service with be held Friday, November 13, at 2 at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock. Family and friends are invited to attend, but are required to wear masks and social distance. A brief visitation will be held after the service. Memorials may be made to Park Hill Presbyterian Church Building Fund. A livestream of the service can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/Griffin-Leggett-Rest-Hills-Funeral-Home-110857847245059/ Services are under the direction of Roller-Owens Funeral Home in North Little Rock. To sign the online guestbook visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens