Jonesboro- Eugene "Oop" McFerrin, 84, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at St. Bernards Hospice Care.

He was born September 17, 1935 in Earle to the late Ollie and Essie McFerrin. Oop retired in 1998 from E. Ritter Telephone Company in Marked Tree after forty-one years. He lived most of his life in Marked Tree until he and his wife, Pat moved to Jonesboro in 1993.

He served as a president of Marked Tree Rotary Club, president of Arkansas Security Alarm Association and as a Marked Tree City councilman and worked with the Marked Tree Little League Baseball teams. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years and the Marine Corp Air Reserves for three and half years. He became a Christian at age 26 and was a member of the Walnut Street Baptist Church. He has a new body now, free of cancer!!!

He was also preceded in death by his two sons, Randy McFerrin and Rick McFerrin, and a sister, Vonda Morton.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Patricia McFerrin; three grandchildren, Murphy McFerrin, Miranda Crenshaw and Mitch Crenshaw; a great-grandson, Kamden McFerrin; a nephew, Kenny Morton and the dear family of Jeff, Shannon, Drake, Derek, David and Deanne Puryear of Jonesboro.

As next-door neighbors, the Puryear family lovingly made Oop and Pat their family too and became a part of their lives after the deaths of Randy and Rick and they have lovingly helped them in so many ways, for which they will be eternally grateful. They were like a son and daughter and grandchildren to Pat and Oop.

Oop loved and lived life to the fullest. He overcame physical and personal difficulties in his life and would not let them hamper his fun loving spirit and positive attitude. Best of all, he was so glad that he met the love of his life, Pat, and loved her more than life itself. What a gift that is!

A celebration of his life will be 2:00 pm Friday, December 20, 2019 at Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Parker officiating and eulogy given by Jeff Puryear. Interment will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm until time of service at the funeral home.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Drake Puryear, Derek Puryear, David Puryear, Bobby Harris, David Hazel and Shay Racy. Employees of Ritter Telephone Company who worked with Oop are recognized as honorary pallbearers.