Victor Ferraro

Victor Ferraro, 90, of Nevada, Mo., died at 3:40 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin.

Mr. Ferraro was born Aug. 20, 1916, at Carona, Kan., the son of Joe and Grace Filosa Ferraro of Mulberry, Kan. He was reared in Mulberry and graduated from Mulberry High School. He later graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He married Jo Maxine Fowler of Arcadia, Kan., on Nov. 7, 1942, in Budd Parks Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. Ferraro survives at their home in Nevada.

Mr. Ferraro began his service in the United States Army in 1941. He entered officers training school in 1942 and was sent to Europe in 1944 where he served in World War II through 1945. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1976 when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was first employed by the Kansas Highway Commission in 1949 and he began his career with Phillips Petroleum Company of Bartlesville, Okla., in 1952. He remained with Phillips until his retirement in 1981. While with Phillips, Mr. Ferraro was assigned to head several overseas petroleum engineering projects from 1961-'78. Together with his wife Jo and family, he lived and worked in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Salvador-Bahia, Brazil; Madrid, Spain; and Middlesborough, England. Among his more notable assignments was his work on the Alaskan pipeline where he helped design petroleum pumping stations and supports for the pipes. This expertise was later used when he was Phillips project engineer on the North Sea oil development project in England.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferraro moved to Nevada in 1993 from Columbia Lakes, Texas. Mr. Ferraro served as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church where he was the property chairman on Session. During his term on Session he designed and supervised the construction of the new parking lot, making sure all engineering specifications were met. He was a member of the Kansas University Alumni; the Mens Club at Phillips Petroleum; the Elks Club, and the Neveda Country Club where he hit a hole-in-one on Sept. 15, 1995.

Mr. Ferraro enjoyed playing golf, the game of bridge and poker. He was a generous and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and included his entire family on a 50th wedding anniversary cruise and two trips to Italy celebrating his 80th and 85th birthdays. He was proud of his Italian heritage which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He loved visiting with literally everyone he came in contact with. He had a charming and endearing nature, a positive and sharp wit and an engaging sense of humor.

Additional survivors include four children, Vicki Turner and her husband Dr. Bill Turner of Nevada, David Ferraro and his wife Lynn of Tulsa, Okla., Michelle Randall and her husband Greg of Dallas, Texas, and Kim Congdon and her husband Dennis of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren, Jodee Mashek and her husband Steve of Nevada; Justin Ferraro of Tulsa, Christina Randall of Dallas, Joseph Congdon of Tokyo, Japan, Brad Congdon of Fort Worth, Texas, and David Congdon of Houston; three great-grandchildren, Victoria Ireland, Johnathon Ireland, and Skylur Mashek of Nevada; one sister, Evelyn Packard of Pittsburg, Kan.; one brother, Joe Robert Ferraro of Palm Springs, Calif. He was proceeded in death by his parents; one brother, Mike Lewis Ferraro; and one sister, Savaren Barone.

Funeral services for will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Presbyterian Church, Nevada, the Rev. Greg Ferree officiating. Burial will be at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Pittsburg, Kan. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m., until service time on Saturday at the Presbyterian Church. Friends may also call 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., today at the Bedene Funeral Home, Arma, Kan..

Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church, 500 N. Olive, Nevada, MO 64772. They may be left at the church or with the Bedene Funeral Home, PO Box 621, Arma, KS 66712.

Arrangements under the direction of Bedene Funeral Home, Arma.