1954
John
2015
John Alan Ferda
September 29, 1954 — January 5, 2015
The Final Inspection
the policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass. “Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?” The policeman squared his shoulders and said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain't, because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays and at times my talk was rough and sometimes I've been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But, I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got just too steep. And I never passed a cry for help – though at times I shook with fear. And, sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me here Lord it needn't be so grand – I never expected or had too much. But, if you don't...I'll understand.” There was a silence all around the Throne where the saints had often trod as the policeman waited quietly for the judgement of his God. “Step forward now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell.”
John Alan Ferda, 60, of Mount Hope, WV passed away suddenly at his home on January 5, 2015.
Born September 29, 1954 in Wheeling, WV he was the oldest child of John and Betty Ferda of Wellsburg in Brooke County, WV.
Those survivors left to cherish his memory include his wife of 38 years Marilyn. J. Morgan Ferda of Mount Hope; his daughter, Jonell Ferda Carver and husband, James of Salem; his son John A. Ferda Jr. and wife, Christa of Mount Hope; and two grand-children, Aaron James (AJ) Carver, and Benjamin E. Carver.
He is also survived by both parents and all siblings who include a brother Brian Ferda (Vi-Eva) of Wheeling; Sister Barbara Ferda Lyonette (John) of Weirton, sister Beverly Ferda Wilker (Mike) of St. Marys, OH and brother William Ferda (Cindy) of Wellsburg, and a host of other family and friends.
John was a 1972 honor graduate of Brooke High School and graduated from WV State College in 1976 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He was employed by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff in 1975 and then joined the WV Dept of Public Safety as a WV State Trooper in 1977 from which he retired with 27 yrs service in 2004 as Commandant of the WV State Police Academy in Institute, WV as the Rank of Captain.
He was currently employed with the WV Division of Juvenile Services at the Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center in Mount Hope, WV as Unit Manager for the past ten years.
John was the owner and operator of the Ferda and JR Construction Company since 2005.
He was a member of the Mount Hope United Methodist Church. He was a previous member of the Mount Hope Lions Club. He is a member of the masonic lodge - MacDonald Warren Lodge No. 103 and Eastern Star Chapter No. 59; and was a retired member of the New River Referees association in Fayette County.
John was very active in his community and championed youth sports by volunteering his time to both coaching and refereeing throughout his life. His other interests included fishing, hunting, riding his tractors and working with heavy equipment.
Visitation is scheduled at the National Guard Armory, 409 Wood Mountain Road, Glen Jean on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a funeral service following at 7:00 P.M. with Chaplain Jimmy Mitchell officiating.
Additional service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Franklin United Methodist Church in Wellsburg. .Visition will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM followed by a 2:00 PM service. Burial will follow at the Franklin Cemetery in Wellsburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to your local animal shelter or adopt a pet or a charity of your choice in his honor.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, WV
the policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass. “Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?” The policeman squared his shoulders and said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain't, because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays and at times my talk was rough and sometimes I've been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But, I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got just too steep. And I never passed a cry for help – though at times I shook with fear. And, sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me here Lord it needn't be so grand – I never expected or had too much. But, if you don't...I'll understand.” There was a silence all around the Throne where the saints had often trod as the policeman waited quietly for the judgement of his God. “Step forward now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell.”
John Alan Ferda, 60, of Mount Hope, WV passed away suddenly at his home on January 5, 2015.
Born September 29, 1954 in Wheeling, WV he was the oldest child of John and Betty Ferda of Wellsburg in Brooke County, WV.
Those survivors left to cherish his memory include his wife of 38 years Marilyn. J. Morgan Ferda of Mount Hope; his daughter, Jonell Ferda Carver and husband, James of Salem; his son John A. Ferda Jr. and wife, Christa of Mount Hope; and two grand-children, Aaron James (AJ) Carver, and Benjamin E. Carver.
He is also survived by both parents and all siblings who include a brother Brian Ferda (Vi-Eva) of Wheeling; Sister Barbara Ferda Lyonette (John) of Weirton, sister Beverly Ferda Wilker (Mike) of St. Marys, OH and brother William Ferda (Cindy) of Wellsburg, and a host of other family and friends.
John was a 1972 honor graduate of Brooke High School and graduated from WV State College in 1976 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He was employed by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff in 1975 and then joined the WV Dept of Public Safety as a WV State Trooper in 1977 from which he retired with 27 yrs service in 2004 as Commandant of the WV State Police Academy in Institute, WV as the Rank of Captain.
He was currently employed with the WV Division of Juvenile Services at the Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center in Mount Hope, WV as Unit Manager for the past ten years.
John was the owner and operator of the Ferda and JR Construction Company since 2005.
He was a member of the Mount Hope United Methodist Church. He was a previous member of the Mount Hope Lions Club. He is a member of the masonic lodge - MacDonald Warren Lodge No. 103 and Eastern Star Chapter No. 59; and was a retired member of the New River Referees association in Fayette County.
John was very active in his community and championed youth sports by volunteering his time to both coaching and refereeing throughout his life. His other interests included fishing, hunting, riding his tractors and working with heavy equipment.
Visitation is scheduled at the National Guard Armory, 409 Wood Mountain Road, Glen Jean on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a funeral service following at 7:00 P.M. with Chaplain Jimmy Mitchell officiating.
Additional service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Franklin United Methodist Church in Wellsburg. .Visition will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM followed by a 2:00 PM service. Burial will follow at the Franklin Cemetery in Wellsburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to your local animal shelter or adopt a pet or a charity of your choice in his honor.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, WV
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Alan Ferda, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, January 9, 2015
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
National Guard Armory
Guestbook
Visits: 4
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