FERLIN HUSKY gone

[Michael Breid]

Were Ferlin and Leona divorced? The last I heard they were married. I remember reading that Leona said she got to marry her hero, but the obits don't mention anything about Leona. Fill me in on this if you would. Thanks-

Red in the Ozarks.

[David L Anderson]

Ferlin Eugene HUSKY
HUSKY, Ferlin Eugene Age 85 of Hendersonville, TN. Thursday, March 17, 2011. Preceded in death by his parents, Louis James and Fern Huskey; son, Danny Louis Husky; daughter, Denise Roma Cain. Survived by his children, Donna K. (Michael) Denson, Dana (Marty) Stone, David Ferlin (Tina) Husky, Kelly Wiles, Julie (J.R.) Smith, Terry Preston (Dawn) Husky, Alana Husky (David) Jackson and Jennifer Jean (Chris) Lane; grandchildren, Dawnell Corder, Trina Smotherman, Tawnya Lassiter, Danita Grant, Norman B. Stone, Mason Husky, Kelsey Husky, Micah Husky, Courtney Husky, Meaghan McCann, Siobhan Wiles, James Smith, Austin Smith, Madison Husky, Preston Husky, Duel Lane, Lerass Lane, Orlin Lane and Diana Cain; 13 great grandchildren. His family will receive friends from 3-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at Hendersonville Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville with Rev. Dallas Frazier officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will include Larry Graham, Charlie Pride, Richard Davis, Wayne Helton, Warren Helton, Sonny Helton, Jimmy Capps, Orlo Thompson, Ron Williams, John Conley, Larry Saltz, Ray Stevens, Bill Anderson, Frankie Miller, Keith Bilbrey, Eddie Stubbs, Keith Adkinson, Jett Williams, Jean Shephard and "Simon Crum". Active Pallbearers will be Mike Denson, Marty Stone, J.R. Smith, Chris Lane, David Jackson and Roger Helton. Interment Hendersonville Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Sumner Hospice, 575 E. Bledsoe Street, Suite 9, Gallatin, TN 37066. HENDERSONVILLE MEMORY GARDENS AND FUNERAL HOME, (615) 824-3855
Published in The Tennessean on March 20, 2011

[Bud Isaacs]

Ferlin and I worked together many years. He was one of the Greatest Entertainers in the business. We had a lot of laughs. My self and many many fans will miss him. God bless you Ferlin, if you run across Simon Grum up there, give him my love. Bud and Geri

[Pat Coyne]

A friend of mine brought this thread to my attention. In response to Michael Breid's post..the alleged statement Leona may have made about marrying her musical hero, i assume that would have been directed at Merle Haggard, who she still considers the greatest and NO, Ferlin and Leona were never married. Leona was asked by the MO Hall of Fame to locate Ferlin, she found him in FL and not in the best condition. She was alone in MO herself at the time, so she brought Ferlin back and she took on the role of friend/caregiver. She has received awards for this act of kindness. I think the media and those looking for a "love story" started promoting more than what was there. As Ferlin's condition worsened Leona realized that it was more than she was physically able to handle, it was then the family and her decided it was best to bring him back to Nashville where his children could take care of him. She would visit him whenever she was in town and would talk every few days. On the day he passed she went out to his daughters house to say goodbye, she said "Love Ya Buddy" and kissed him on the forehead, he opened his eyes and smiled. About an hour later he passed away with his children singing to him. I was with Leona when we received the news, she was of course deeply saddened, but as Ferlin would say "The Show Must Go On" and flew to the steel guitar show the next day...we were able to get her back for the funeral, she was given accolades by Eddie Stubbs and Vince Gill for her caring friendship, also his children are so very thankful for Leona helping them have their father for a few more years. Just setting the record straight, not sure how these rumors get going, but I assure you from my being around both of them MANY times what they provided each other was just companionship.

[Willis Vanderberg]

Ferlin really didn't care for the back neck or C-6th on the pedal steel. His usual comment was something like " you ain't gonna play on that bob wire neck are you ? ". One of the best entertainers in the business. Rest high on that mountain Ferlin, you earned it..

Old Bud