May 5, 1954 — March 7, 2021

The “King of Lee and Harvard” was known for his Martial Artistry and his Generous Community Spirit

When Ken was a teenager, his love of boats led him to imagine himself living on one, enjoying life like the people he saw on Lake Erie. One day, he set about the task of achieving that dream: he began to build a boat. He didn’t have design drawings, or fancy wood – he had what he had, and he began to build. Once his boat was finished, creating things became his passion. It seems that Ken never really wanted to become a sailor; his talents were in visualizing, creating and building.

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Kenneth Duane Ferguson was born on May 5, 1954, the third child of five, to Homer and Gloria Ferguson. The family moved to the Lee Harvard community in 1961, where Ken attended Beehive Elementary, Eliot Junior High, and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1972. Two decades later, in 1996, Ken was inducted into the JFK Hall of Fame for outstanding career achievements.

He attended Kent State University in the 1970s and later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Organizational Management from Tiffin University. 

It was at Kent State that Ken discovered a passion for the martial arts. He began his early training in the Isshinryu Karate with Bill and Roxanne Marcum, and his advanced belts with the great Ron Shaw. He was such a young and ferocious competitor that in 1975, as a “purple belt,” he tried out for the United States AAU Karate Team in Long Beach, California. The morning of competition he was handed a black belt by USA teammate Billy Blanks (later of Tae Bo fame) who said, “Ferg, take off that purple belt and put this (black belt) on before they kick you off the team.” Not only did Ken make the team and earn his rank, he also went on to represent the United States in World Championships in Long Beach, California; Madrid, Spain; Taipei, Taiwan; Cairo, Egypt; and Mexico City, Mexico.

It should be of note that while many others were “selected by coaches” to be on the team, from 1977 through 1992, Ken earned his place on the United States Karate Team by placing 1st or 2nd in every AAU/USAKF National Championship for 15 years – a feat that may never be duplicated. 

Ken was just as successful on the open national tournament scene, winning the United States Karate Association (USKA), American Karate Association (AKA) and Martial Arts Rating System (M.A.R.S.) National Championships. Ken won the Ohio and Pennsylvania state championships in both 1975 and 1976. His versatile fighting style won him a National AAU Taekwondo silver medal in 1978 in Washington D.C.

Ken launched his career as a Karate instructor by teaching martial arts for the City of Cleveland’s Recreation Department from 1974 through 1978. Under the mentorship of (Kenpo) Karate Master A.E. Vea, Ken opened his own Karate school under the American International Karate Association (AIKA). For decades, parents brought their children from all over the city so that Ken could teach them self-defense, confidence, self-discipline and a winning spirit.

For more than 35 years he enriched, even redirected, the lives of thousands of inner city youth. However they came to him, they were transformed by the time they left.

His students were known throughout the martial arts world as crafty defensive fighters who all possessed his “perfect reverse punch.” Ken’s love for karate was contagious and so was his success. Many of his students won national titles; three of them joining him as members of the USA Karate Team.

As a community leader, Ken participated in almost every aspect of Lee-Harvard community affairs. In addition, he employed children and adults from the neighborhood who needed jobs. He prided himself on keeping kids out of trouble. He loved organizing special events like the Drug Free Halloween Parades and the community haunted house that he hosted annually for over 30 years. 

As a minority entrepreneur, Ken saw the need to support other businesses, and became an active member and leader of the Lee-Harvard Merchants Association, serving as the group’s president from 1992-1995. To publicize the association’s goals, he founded the Lee Harvard Times newspaper. Each year, the newspaper’s work culminated in a Lifetime Achievement Awards Banquet in the spring to honor Lee Harvard community seniors.

Ken was active politically with the Democratic Party, regularly providing headquarters community space available for numerous campaigns, including those of the late state representative Vermel Whalen, former Cleveland mayor Michael R. White, current Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson, and former President Barack Obama.

In 1996, Ken was recognized as a community hero and had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch when it passed through Cleveland.

Professionally, Ken earned the rank of 9th Degree Black from the United States Karate Federation and also the American International Karate Association. He was inducted into the USAKF Hall of Fame in 1993.

Ken was a lifetime member of the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, where a century ago his grandparents were founding members. Ken served as the Superintendent of the Sunday School and on the Board of Directors.

Citywide, Ken was often called upon to provide the children’s activities for community festivals and events. He worked hand-in-hand with longtime community partners Elaine Gholstin of the Harvard Community Services Center and LaJean Ray of Fatima Family Center. He also hosted the annual Walk for Cancer with Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He donated free space for non-profits and youth groups who needed a place to meet or practice. So ubiquitous were Ken’s businesses, properties and efforts in the Lee Harvard neighborhood that his very name became a virtual synonym for the area’s community spirit.

On Sunday, March 7, 2021, five of Ken Ferguson’s Master Black Belt students, who themselves were later inducted into the USKF Hall of Fame (with Ken being inducted a second time as an instructor), held a special ceremony, posthumously honoring their “Shodai Soke” (Founder of the Ken Ferguson “Flasher Style”) with a custom made Kataaro Hanshi belt embroidered with the name and title, “Grandmaster Ken Ferguson.” Their hope had been to physically award him with the belt that afternoon, but their beloved Soke Grandmaster Ken Ferguson had passed away early that morning.

He leaves behind a loving family including his mother Gloria Ferguson, wife Sheila, sons Kenneth Jr and Justin, brothers Ronald and Steven, grandchildren Nicholas, Paige, Jeremiah, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and students.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 12 at 11:30am. Due to the pandemic, the service is by invitation only; however, a livestream of the service will be available here.

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