James Gates Ferguson Jr, 83, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away on January 28, 2025.

Jim was born on November 22, 1941, to Olivia Merry Ferguson and James Gates Ferguson in Chicago. Jim spent his early childhood years surrounded by love from his parents, caregivers, and animals. Jim’s father was the first person to exemplify the importance of good food and gathering community which would later go on to carve the path for Jim’s personal and professional life.

When Jim was a young boy his family relocated to Tryon, North Carolina. Adjustment to life away from Chicago was difficult for Jim in the beginning, but eventually he discovered his great love for the mountains and the people of North Carolina.

While attending boarding school at the Asheville School for Boys, Jim began studying keyboard and developed a strong passion for the organ. After graduating, Jim went on to pursue both his undergraduate and doctoral degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jim’s interest in social psychology led him to the University of Vermont where he helped develop the social psychology department. During his time in Vermont, Jim met his wife, Eleanor (Ellie).

Jim and Ellie were married at Duke University Chapel on August 3, 1975. They have one daughter, Eliza, and one granddaughter, Julia. Jim and Ellie were founding members of the Congregation at Duke University Chapel, and Jim served faithfully for decades as the Head Usher. He also continued studying organ with Duke faculty, and played a key role in the selection of the monumental Flentrop organ in the nave. During the 1980s, Jim and Ellie began the tradition of decorating Duke Chapel for Christmastime and their vision of garlands, poinsettias, wreaths with red bows, and candles still transforms the Chapel today.

During the 1980s, Jim and Ellie’s passion for cuisine and regional identity led them to establish the Piedmont Chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food, and they became active members of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. This laid the foundation for Jim’s legendary Honors Undergraduate Seminar in Food and Culture, which he first taught at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1997. Jim and Ellie also served on the planning committee that designed the renovation of Graham Memorial in 1999-2000.

Jim’s honors seminar, lovingly referred to as “Eats 101” has a current alumni network of close to 600 students. Jim’s students continue to stay in touch and remark on how their experience taking Eats 101 has shaped their lives in dynamic ways. Shortly before Jim’s death he and Ellie established an endowment to support the Ferguson Family Honors Carolina Program in Food Studies. This lasting contribution is a fitting tribute to his complete devotion to teaching and their love for undergraduate students at UNC.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of fifty years. Their life together included a shared love for traveling, the arts, serving students in their home, UNC Chapel Hill, and the Duke University Chapel. Jim was especially proud of his daughter, Eliza and granddaughter, Julia.

In addition to his family, Jim is survived by a network of more than 500 Eats 101 alumni, and his colleague and dear friend of almost twenty years, Samantha Buckner Terhune. Samantha will continue to build upon Jim’s Eats 101 legacy as she becomes the Director of the Ferguson Family Endowment Fund.

Jim loved many things, his family and friends, the students who filled his classroom and home, the culinary arts, organ music, his travels to France, the mountains, his beloved German Shepherd, Vesper, and a cold, crisp glass of Champagne. Jim found a way to turn even the most ordinary of days into a celebration. Jim didn’t know a stranger and he approached every interaction with a willingness to listen and connect. Those of us left behind will continue to remember his huge heart, generosity, knowledge, and whimsy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Duke University Chapel (https://chapel.duke.edu/about…) Or to the Ferguson Family Honors Carolina Program in Food Studies. Donations can be made by visiting: https://go.unc.edu/FergusonFo…

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