Al Ferguson

Al Ferguson
June 22, 1942 – August 7, 2025

Our family mourns the loss of Albert Ray Ferguson Jr., while finding comfort knowing he is now  at peace. He passed on August 7th at the age of 82 surrounded by his loving family.

Al Ferguson was born in 1943 in Southgate, California, and grew up in a home filled with music. Inspired by this musical environment, Al taught himself guitar in the eighth grade.

In high school, he formed a band with a friend called The Rockers. The group quickly gained popularity, winning every battle of the bands they entered and playing many school dances. They later changed their name to The Savoys and were booked to perform many shows at Bob Eubanks’ Hollywood Cinnamon Cinder.

Al’s talent soon led him to a successful audition with The Hondells, a popular rock and roll band known for Billboard chart hits such as “Little Honda” and “Younger Girl.” With the group, he also recorded lead vocals for national commercials, including brands Pepsi and Coty Cosmetics. One of Al’s proudest moments was performing with The Hondells for U.S. troops in Vietnam as part of a USO tour in October 1966 – a memory he cherished throughout his life.

Al eventually chose to step back from the music industry to raise his two young children, Nick and Erin. As a single father in the early 1970s, he embraced the role of both mother and father, raising his children on his own for 11 years.

In 1982, a mutual friend introduced Al to Ellie, who also had two children, Drew and Heather. Al and Ellie fell in love, married, and blended their families. Together, they built a life rooted in love, perseverance, devotion and hard work. They launched a successful paint and wallpaper business in Orange County, CA and later purchased a furniture store in Big Bear Lake which they ran together for 30 years. While in Big Bear, he spent time playing music locally, volunteered with DOVES of Big Bear Valley and served proudly as a Rotarian.

After retiring, Al and Ellie moved to Santa Rosa, CA, to be closer to family. They became active members of Oakmont Community Church, and Al sang on Sundays from time to time. He continued to share his passion for music by performing in a jazz duo, entertaining neighbors, playing for the Oakmont Jazz Club, teaching guitar to many students and in April 2024 he was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame.

Al was a gifted blues, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll guitarist who had many fascinating experiences and a love for sharing stories. He was also a talented photographer and sketch artist. He will be remembered as a loving father, husband, friend, teacher, and musician whose kindness, artistry  and music touched many lives.

He is preceded in death by Virginia Louise Wanderman (mother), Albert Ray Ferguson (father) and Betty Ferguson Kjellberg (sister). He is survived by his beloved wife Ellie; his children Nick (Rhonda) and Erin (Jim); his stepchildren Drew (Kelly) and Heather; and his cherished grandchildren Elle, Sophia, Annabelle, Lexi, and Ronnie.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Berger Center in Santa Rosa, CA on Saturday, September 20 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made to Oakmont Community Church.