Dr. Lloyd R. Ferguson, one of the founders of Pearland State Bank, passed away in his Pearland home on March 9. He was 96. Ferguson served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-17 gunman during World War II. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne University, a master’s degree from Texas Christian University and his doctoral degree from the University of Houston. He served for 27 years as superintendent of schools for the Danbury ISD, Pearland ISD and Clear Creek ISD. Upon his retirement from the Clear Creek ISD, the school board honored him by naming the elementary school in South Shore Harbour Lloyd R. Ferguson Elementary.
Although a highly successful educator, Ferguson unabashedly declared that his most significant professional achievement happened in 1959 when he and a group of local business leaders successfully organized and chartered Pearland State Bank. In 1964, he was elected the bank’s chairman of the board, a position he held until his passing. In 1982, he assumed the additional titles of president and CEO.
In 1994, under Ferguson’s leadership, a holding company was created and the bank’s shareholders purchased First National Bank of Alvin. Upon the completion of the purchase, Ferguson was elected chairman of the board and CEO of First National Bank of Alvin and continued in that position until his death. Both Pearland State Bank and First National Bank of Alvin have consistently been recognized as exemplary banks by numerous publications. Ferguson’s most recent accomplishment occurred in April 2021 when he was inducted into the Texas Bankers Hall of Fame at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.
“Lloyd Ferguson was a consummate community banker,” says Chris Williston V, who served as president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) from 1988 to 2018. “[Ferguson was] an early adopter of IBAT and its importance to the preservation of community banking. He was unwavering in his support.”
More importantly he was an icon in the Texas Gulf Coast revered by his community and peers in the industry. His contributions will be sorely missed.”
Ferguson enjoyed serving on the board of TIB NA from 1988 to 1994 and was active in banking industry trade organizations. “Dr. Ferguson was a tremendous director, tireless servant to others in his community, a wonderful community banker and a truly gentle man,” says Michael O’Rourke, president and CEO of TIB.
As an active member of the Pearland community, Ferguson was an original organizer of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, serving as one of its first presidents. He has been a member and served in leadership positions for the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Order of Jesters, Shriners, First United Methodist Church of Pearland and numerous other organizations.
Ferguson was married to Rosalie Briggs Ferguson for 65 years until her death in 2010.
