Michael Ferris' Obituary
Michael Ferris, 74 of Columbus Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 15th, 2026 after a long full life and a brief battle with cancer.
Mike was born in Toledo, Ohio to Margaret and John Ferris. In Toledo, Mike started work early. His first job was as a paperboy, then a caddie which nourished his initial interest in golf to grow into a lifelong passion. He was a proud graduate of Macumber High School where he studied radio and TV electronics, laying the foundation for his career in telecommunications. Before leaving Toledo, Mike met Linda who he built a life with for the next 57 years!
Mike was a Navy man and a seasick sailor. After a failed deployment at sea, Mike initiated a transfer to a land-based role where he continued to build his skills in electronics. He often joked this was when he joined McHale’s Navy. In 1976, Mike was honorably discharged at which point he and Linda returned to Toledo.
Together, they made a life-long transition to Columbus where they raised two children, Sean and Erin. Creating the world he wanted for his family, and always the engineer, Mike built a bar in the basement, a pool in the backyard, and expanded their home with a master bedroom above the garage. All additions to their life that created joy, sparked smiles, and continue to serve as the inspiration for stories.
As a father, Mike was very active in his kid’s lives. He coached soccer, taught his son to golf, introduced them to skiing, encouraged both his kids to start work early, and was a consistent presence on the sidelines of the soccer field and in the stands at the track. Mike was an active guy who brought his kids along with him. They were regularly in tow when he would play racquetball, head to the golf course, stop for a drink, or embark on a road trip. Mike’s love for golf, travel, skiing, and general good times are gifts his children are grateful for and look forward to continuing in memory of him.
In a surprise to all of us, Mike really enjoyed being a soccer referee. It gave him a chance to stay active, be around young people, make a little spending money, and exercise control and put out of control parents in their place - :)
Unsurprising to all of us, Mike’s lifelong passion was golf. For as long as his body let him, he was a regular on courses around Columbus and would often travel with friends to play around the US. Mike played so much golf, he forgot that he got a hole-in-one when he was in high school. Lucky for him, that memory came back recently when a longtime friend made a visit. When Mike wasn’t playing golf he was watching. Over time he expanded his viewing preferences to include the Champions Tour, the LPGA, and many of the developmental tours. Ever a traditionalist, he never came around to enjoy LIV.
Over the last few years, Mike experienced a number of health setbacks. During that time, Linda was by his side through all the hard times and together they continued to make happy memories. Games of backgammon, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune over dinner, and watching their grandson’s baseball games on the iPad continued to fuel their life together. At the end, he passed holding her hand. The day after their 53rd anniversary, he finally let go.
Mike leaves behind his spouse, Linda; children, Sean Ferris (daughter-in-law Megan) and Erin Walker (son-in-law, Lee Walker); his grandchildren Lewis and Sam Walker; in-laws Rick and Pat Molnar and their family, and countless friends and extended family members.
Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, May 13 at Safari Golf Club - 4853 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH. Celebration begins at 3:30, remarks at 4:00, reception to follow.
The family welcome donations in Mike’s name to First Tee (https://firsttee.org/) or OhioHealth Homereach Hospice (Link)
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