Aaron George Ferguson

Bloody hell Storm. Such sad news. Very fond memories of getting on it at one of our A&P Shows night time hoolies and you getting chucked in the wool fadge in a frame set up for empties, Waipiata Ute Musters where you and Fruita (and whoever else) would always call in for a good catch up. Drifting in the back paddock and me screaming at you all to settle down! Sending so much aroha to your whānau, community and many friends Storm.

So sorry to hear of your tragic loss Ray, Louise and family. Kind regards.
Lois and Hec Mitchell

He was loved and treasured by so many. A true friend, one that would always go the extra mile to make ya laugh. You will be loved always and never forgotten Aaron. Taken way before his time.

Missing you mate

Sending so much love to the whole Ferguson family. Too many memories to find a favourite, but you were one of the best and you will be wholeheartedly missed by all that knew you. Taken way before your time, rest easy big fella x

Storm, Louise, Bex & Bryce - I am so sorry to hear and pass on my condolences & also condolences from Dad (Judd) who had alot of time for Aaron.

I have so many childhood memories on the farm, but it was our younger adult years that were truly full of laughter and adventure.

Whether it was weekend trips back to the farm for adventures or Aaron, Mark, and John heading to Dunedin, there was always something going on. I’ll never forget moving the fence line in the snow, up on the hill, slipping and falling flat on my face — or those freezing June school holidays, minus six degrees, collecting wood, ending up in the spa Mitchell, Zadyn, and Reef having a ball in the freezing cold trying to warm up.

Aaron always had a story — like the time he he fell asleep in the spa after lambing season. Or teaching us clay bird shooting … which I’m not sure I ever truly mastered.

There were the wild trips too — moving Mark to Ashburton, somehow ending up clubbing, and Aaron dancing with just about anyone he could find, swinging them around like he’d known them forever.

And then there was the Piano Flat Sunday drives— with Stacy, Mark, and John and whoever else woke up on a sunday— the horse freshly painted, and of course Sarah in a white dress but we still rode that God dam horse… moments that didn’t make much sense to anyone else.

My 30th birthday was classic Aaron — spinning me around like a guitar to “Wagon Wheel,” then deciding he was done and heading to bed, even though he’d been the one wanting to party the sunday session was more important to Aaron. In the middle of the night, as only Aaron could, he got up, completely unashamed, NAKED! Aaron made sure everyone was watching, did the helicopter dance… and just went back to bed like nothing had happened.

At my bodybuilding Invercargill competition, I was lucky enough to win — but Aaron, of course, thought he should get up on stage and have a go too. That was him. Never missing a moment, always ready to jump in.

Any chance we got, especially during the school holidays, we came back to the farm. It was a place — full of chaos, laughter, and memories that will stay with me forever.

But more than all the fun and the stories, there was another side of Aaron that meant the world to me. When I needed him the most, Aaron and Anita showed up  — no questions asked, just right there beside me. That’s who he was. Loyal, caring, and always there when it mattered.

My heart is aching. Aaron, I told you a million times, and I’ll say it again — I love you so, so much.

Thank you for the laughter, the madness, and the memories. I’ll carry you with me always

Your cousin
Sarah Thorpe

My thoughts go out to the Ferguson family during this time , and sending my deepest condolences. I am sorry for the loss of Aaron. The news has come as a great shock and his absence will leave a large gap in everyone lives his path has crossed and will be dearly missed by all. Take care xx

We wish we had more time with you!

Storm!
Thank you for the endless visits at the crib at Piano Flat, The Adventures, The stories and countless laughs, the endless supply of meat to accompany the gin arrangements and for simply just being you! You are one in a million and Kerrod and i are certainly going to miss you.
Sending the Ferguson family so much love xx

Memories we will cherish forever!

Sending our condolences, so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Our thoughts are with you, Ray, Louise, and your families.

Sorry to hear of your tragic loss Ray and Louise. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Tony & Kerry Rutherford

We are so sorry to hear of the tragic loss of Aaron. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time..

So sorry to hear of your tragic loss our condolences. Our thoughts are with you Ray and Louise and family

We were just so sorry to read of your sad loss of Aaron - we are currently away from home so will not be able to join you on Saturday, but you are very much in our thoughts and we send our deepest condolences with love.
Kindest Regards,

My deepest condolences to Aarons family and all of his many friends. My heart goes out to you all.

I feel so blessed to have had you in my life Aaron thank you for the adventures and good times. Memories I will treasure forever.

This one's for you

Over the Next Ridge

Some folk leave quietly,
like a gate swinging gently shut in the evening wind.
You, my friend, were never going to be one of those.

You swept into our lives like a storm,
with a laugh we heard before we saw you
and a glint in your eye that promised fun and adventure.
You were a man who worked hard
and played even harder.

You were ginger, and proud of it,
sunburnt, freckled, blue-eyed, and grinning,
with that look in your eye that meant
something was either about to be fixed, started, driven, ridden,
or was a really bad idea
that was definitely still going to happen.

If there was a road, you’d drive it.
If there was a river, you’d follow it.
If there was fun, you’d be at the centre of it.

Everyone was a new friend
you just hadn’t had a beer with yet.

There was no shame in you.
You’d give anything a go once,
and if it didn’t go to plan,
you’d just laugh
and tell the story better the next time.

You’d help your mates shift stock,
move house,
or drag a boat for hours on a mission.
You’d bring your tools and fix my broken shit,
drop off wood and the odd hunk of meat,
always with good yarns
and good music.

A true friend who never lost touch.
No matter how many years passed,
it was like no time at all.
You were one of the few
who could drag me out of my shell.

Somehow, without even trying,
you left tracks in so many people’s lives,
the same way you left tracks across the hills.

I didn’t know you were a summer storm.
I thought you’d be around forever.

Now autumn has come and you are gone.
The cool rains wash away our tears.
The hills feel a bit bigger,
the yards a bit quieter,
and the roads a bit longer.

But I reckon if we listen on a windy day
up in the high country,
we’ll hear a dog bark carrying on the breeze,
a horse snorting somewhere over the rise,
a ute changing gear on a gravel road,
a bloke laughing not too far away.

And we’ll know you’re not really gone.
You’ve just taken a different track.

You’ve mustered your last mob
and headed for home.

See you over the next ridge my friend

dear Louise and Ray,
so sorry to hear of your son's tragic accident.
we met him only once, when he was mustering way up on the tops on horseback with a pack of dogs--
but reading the tributes of many who knew him, he sounded like a familiar family member complete with the bright bronze hair a typical Thorpe grandson. sorry you had to go Aaron. Richard and Helena Thorpe

Aaron you always called me Carol and always said I know you are Sandra with that cheeky smirk of yours.
This story is from many years ago (around 1995) at the Waikaia School Pet Day. I was wearing striped pants & on the way down the road Mum said to me to be careful that none of the jack Russell’s peed on me as my pants looked a bit like fence posts!! Low and behold I stopped to talk to you at the pet day and your wee Jack Russell peed on my leg, You were so embarrassed and we had a good old giggle at my wet yellow leg!
We will miss your smiley friendly face around and your yarns. Lots of love and hugs to Storm, Louise, Becky, Bryce and families as you start to navigate life without Aaron. You have some tough days ahead, lots of love and hugs Sandra Stuart Xx