Thurlow "Ferdie" Fernandez

Thurlow "Ferdie" Fernandez, 94, went home to be with his Lord on February 5, 2017. Born in Caney, Kansas to Joseph and Rosa Fernandez, who were immigrants from Spain, he was the first generation born in America. Thurlow graduated from Froebel High School in Gary, Indiana and joined the U.S. Navy in June, 1941. During his six years of service, he received training in electronic/internal engines. He served in the E.T.O. during the invasion of France and the P.T.O. during the occupation of Japan. He served on the USS Delta AR9 where he was Chief Machinist Mate Petty Officer. Thurlow was extremely proud to be an American and felt honored to serve his country. He was a "Plank Owner" at the U.S. Naval Memorial in Washington, D.C. After being discharged from the Navy in June, 1947, he was hired by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors and worked there for 32 years. He specialized in diesel engine injectors and governors, and held numerous technical positions. He also served on EMD drilling equipment in oil field drilling offshore and on land drilling as a Sales/Service Engineer. He was assigned to be a Field Instructor, teaching railroad operation/maintenance of locomotives. He advanced to District Engineer and then to District Sales Engineer until retiring in June, 1980. "Ferdie" loved boxing. He fought in the Gary, Indiana Golden Gloves, the South Bend, Indiana Silver Gloves, in Chicago, Illinois and in the U.S. Navy where he also coached boxing. He loved all sports and was an avid golfer until his eyesight and physical health problems caused him to limit his golfing. He was very proud of his certificate for "A HOLE IN ONE." He served as a counselor for SCORE, sponsored by the Small Business Administration, where he was elected to Legislator Affairs Coordinator and received two outstanding awards for Meritorious Service and the Golden Medal Award. He was presented with gratifying letters from Governors Bill Clinton and Frank White for his volunteering in helping the state in different capacities. Thurlow was a 33rd degree Mason of Freemasonry and a member of Crescent Lodge #403 and a life member of The Scottish Rite Temple where he held numerous positions on various committees and was presented several awards. He was a member of Levy Baptist Church where he served as a greeter. Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Joe Fernandez, and sisters, Sarah Shavone, Savina Falcon, Liberty Groja and Olga Conde, he is survived by his loving wife, Margie and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Friday, February 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Levy Baptist Church in North Little Rock, officiated by Rev. Steven Tiner, followed by interment at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will precede the service at the church, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501) 224-2200. Ferdie's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.