Jack Ferner

Jack Dennis Ferner May 22, 1930 – July 25, 2025

Jack Dennis Ferner was born in Rochester, NY, the first of two children of John T. and Dorothy Seel Ferner. Jack attended John Marshall High School where he and his brother David played tennis together and were two-time city doubles champions. He went on to graduate from the University of Rochester (B.S. in Physics), then earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

His career began at Eastman Kodak and later continued at Burlington Industries, where he served as Assistant to J. Spencer Love, the company’s Chairman and Founder. His resume expanded to include roles such as Vice President of Formulast Corporation, Senior Consultant at Bromfield Associates, and President, Treasurer, and CEO of Chemical Separations Corporation. He eventually joined Wake Forest University, where he served at the Babcock Graduate School of Business in several roles: Director of External Affairs, Dean, Director of the Center for Management Development, Director of Executive Programs, and finally Lecturer in Management. Affectionately nicknamed “Laid Back Jack” by his students, he was known for his calm presence and easygoing teaching style, while still holding his students to high standards. During his tenure at Wake Forest, Jack also consulted with many businesses across North Carolina (including T. W. Garner Food Company) and served as an expert witness in court cases. Jack retired from Wake Forest University in 2016 at the age of 86, after 44 years of service.

Jack’s work life was always balanced with his love of travel — family ski and beach trips, as well as adventures abroad — always with his wife Judy, the love of his life, by his side. He especially loved spending time at their house in the North Carolina mountains. They celebrated 41 years of marriage this year.

Jack will be remembered not just for what he accomplished, but for his enduring love of life and his strong determination to live it to the fullest.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Charles Ferner. He is survived by his wife, Judy Petree Ferner; his four sons, Scott Garrison Ferner (Jean Anne) of Greensboro, NC, Jeffrey Todd Ferner (Shelly) of Lewisville, NC, Clayton Stewart Ferner (Marni) of Wilmington, NC, and Kendal Boyd Ferner (Shelley) of Charlotte, NC; and his stepson, Bryant Todd Jarvis (Davy) of Winston-Salem, NC. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren — Justin, Matthew, Caroline, Tristan, Kara, Jake, Karsen, Corey, Davis, and Brady — and his step-grandson Bryant.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 at 2:00 p. m. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or Crossnore Communities for Children, P.O. Box 249, Crossnore, NC 28616-0249. Online condolences may be left at www.hayworth-miller.com.