January 27th, 1931 – February 20th, 2022
Meet Peggy Ferris – the driving force behind Keith Ferris’s work and his success as an artist. Peggy’s creative insights, unwavering support, attention-to-detail, organizational skill, fore site, planning, friendship and expertise played a pivotal role in the artwork displayed across this platform and Keith’s career. Peggy was instrumental in the formation and founding of the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA) – showcasing 40+ creatives artist from the USA, UK, Canada, France, Switzerland, and more. After four decades with the Air Force Art Program and her yearly ASAA Foruns, Mrs. Ferris became highly involved with the United States Air Force – visiting military bases and forging relationships around the world. In addition to being an “Artist’s Wife,” Peggy was a passionate teacher, revered basketball coach, and life-long sports fan.
Margaret T. Ferris Obituary
Margaret (Peggy) Todd Ferris passed away peacefully at home on February 20, 2022.
She was born Margaret Jo Todd on January 27, 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri to Edward Judson Todd and Josephine Craven Todd. She had one brother, William (Bill) Todd. The true adventure began in 1953 when she married Carlisle Keith Ferris and together raised two children, Nancy Dean Ferris Huggins (Bill) and Carlisle Todd Ferris (Julia).
Raised in Webster Groves Missouri, she graduated from Webster Groves High School in June 1948 and went on to the University of Missouri where in June 1952 she earned The Degree of Bachelor of Science in Education; and was awarded a Life Teaching Certificate and began her teaching career in physical education at Festus High School in Festus MO. She was a lifelong sports fan, especially of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club.
The Ferris family moved to their home in Glacier Hills, Morris Plains NJ in 1958 where she was a homemaker. She returned to teaching high school physical education at Parsippany Hills High School, Parsippany NJ from 1969 to 1980, where she was a revered girls basketball coach. Once retired from teaching, she became a full-time assistant for Keith Ferris, Inc., the aviation art business she held with her loving husband of 68 years. Always organized, the planner, she was instrumental in the creation of the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA), which includes members from 40 of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa. She organized the ASAA Eastern Regional Meetings for many, many years.
Along with her husband, she attended almost four decades of annual ASAA Forums. Through her husband's aviation art career, she too became very involved with the United States Air Force (USAF). As a result, she visited USAF bases around the world at the invitation of several Chief of Staffs.
She treasured her relationships that were made with many members of the USAF, especially the members of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1968).
Mrs. Ferris was so proud to be a PI PHI (Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women) at the University of Missouri. In 1994, she was named Person of the Year by the Union-Morris Chapter #195 of the Air Force Association Aeronautical Education Foundation and The New Jersey Air Force Association Special Service Award in 1994.
Mrs. Ferris was recognized for a "Decade of Tireless Effort and Inspiring Devotion" to ASAA in 1996, and in 1997, she was the first recipient of the Luther Y. Gore ASAA Distinguished Service Award along with her husband. Besides her loving husband and two children, she leaves her grandchildren Ricky Huggins (Saira), Allison Gannett (Tim), Tyler Ferris (JaCoy) and Evan Ferris.
A memorial service in her honor was held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 12:00 pm at the Par-Troy Funeral Home, 95 Parsippany Rd, Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations be made to the American Society of Aviation Artists Peggy Ferris Memorial Scholarship Fund https://asaa-avart.com/asaawp2014/donate-to-asaa
The Story Of The Warthog
The A-10 was/is officially christened the “Thunderbolt II” – named after the iconic World War II fighter the P-47 Thunderbolt. The P-47, though, because it was large, tough, and could drop bombs and strafe as well as fight in air-to-air combat soon became the “Jug” to its pilots. Along those same perceptions, the A-10 became the “Warthog” to its pilots.
But USAF “leadership” did not take kindly to the Warthog tag. USAF “leadership” wanted nicer, more “correct” names for the airplanes. For example, the USAF conducted seven “name the F- 111” contests. Each time the name “Aardvark” won, and the results were discarded. The F-111 never did get an “official” name. So “Warthog” was not liked.
Ergo, USAF “leadership” formerly banned the name “Warthog” for the A-10. “Warthog” or just “Hog” could not be used on any publication, checklist, or document concerning the A-10. At Davis-Monthan AFB, the home of all basic A-10 training, a huge sign on one of the buildings said, “Welcome to Warthog Country.” That was sandblasted away. The A-10 was going to be the Thunderbolt II and nothing else!!
Marrying An Artist?
An original memoir from Peggy Ferris herself, highlighting her father’s reaction to her marrying Keith Ferris – an artist. The note highlights his concerns about the unconventional, sometimes-unstable artist lifestyle. Throughout the piece, Peggy describes Keith’s fascination with aviation, airplanes, artwork, and military history – leading to her dad’s eventual acceptance and understanding of the art world. The document concludes with a reflection, and a comparison to what could have been different. Explore the different backgrounds, opinions, and initial reservations that come with marrying into the art world.
