Article written by Karen Lyddane
George Washingtons’ childhood home of Stafford, Virginia, is also the childhood home of another well-known person in our world, Art Ferguson. He is the oldest of seven children, and his stepbrother, who is the oldest, makes eight all together! He was fortunate to earn all his education in his hometown. Art played a lot of football when he attended Stafford Middle School.
Early in his career, Art drove sight-seeing buses in Washington, D.C. This was truly fun and challenging, mostly because the motor of most busses was right underneath his seat and in the season of summertime, with the accompanying busy tour season, Art had a very warm workday!
When away on a vacation, you’ll often find Art doing some salt-water fishing and attending his house, which he renovated beginning in September 1996. He completed it in February 1997, adding a second floor, deck, and an addition downstairs with full utilities including bathrooms. He also added an exterior entrance to the second floor. Later, he put a pool table in the living room for times of family visits.
What brought Art to his position as driver for The Woodlands? It started way back, in 1985. A friend introduced him to the Fairfax Nursing Center, which was the first of the Bainum communities. He began working in the Maintenance Department and became the supervisor. This occupied his time for about five years.
Working for Fairfax Nursing Center brought about a personal turning point in Art’s life, for that’s where he met Phyllis, his wife. He gave her three stepchildren and she gave him six! They courted for four years and married in Stafford. Now, they have 16 grandchildren.
Although he realized that he was helping people in his position, he wanted to know those he helped. So, in 2006, Art moved to the newly-opened The Gardens at Fair Oaks, which was the first and only assisted living community he worked for. Also owned by the Bainums, driving for The Gardens was a wonderful way for Art to get to know residents.
In 2023, a job opening at The Woodlands independent living, the youngest Bainum community, became available. Art applied and found that his new job meant friends with even more people-he was delighted! Art likes caring for the residents, transporting them, and learning about them along the way. In between drives, Art delivers packages to expecting residents in their apartments. The relationships he’s made are precious to him. Art especially likes driving the day trips and going to his old stomping grounds, Washington, D.C., for the museum outings-he surely knows the route and where to park! Everyone at The Woodlands is happy when they see Art coming their way, for, with a gentle smile, he helps before anyone has time to ask-it’s natural for him. Art Ferguson’s considerate spirit is felt by everyone at The Woodlands.
