Ferrell Sullivan

Ferrell Devon Sullivan, King of the Cowboys, passed away July 27, 2025 at the age of 91. We are sure he was met by many family members, friends, and with full mental capacity into the arms of his Savior. He was born on his mother's birthday April 6, 1934 in Hurricane, Utah. He was born to Cecil Dwayne Sullivan and Ila Stratton where he was the 2nd son of six children: Dwayne M. Sullivan (Beth), Jerold William Sullivan, Ila Dawn Werner, Michael J. Sullivan (Cynthis) and Jack Stratton Sullivan (Minday).

Ferrell had a good childhood running with the boys in the neighborhood and with his own brothers. His parents later learned that Ferrell had some learning difficulties and that his learning abilities were limited to that of an eight year old. Many people tried to teach him how to read, count, recognize numbers and letters, but he just was never able to comprehend them. He could write down his name, but that was about all. But, oh boy! He could certainly remember stories, events, and who was there with amazing certainty.

He was a strong, good-looking man. For many years he helped others by hauling hay, digging ditches, moving rocks, etc. He could out throw many younger boys, bales of hay onto a trailer or truck. He rode a bike wherever he went and was quite independent. Not everyone was honest with a man who could not tell the difference in being paid a $1 bill or a $10 bill. He would take his money to his mother and she would give him a few dollar bills and save the rest for him. He loved to ride horses and often would ride in parades. He started to collect aluminum cans when they were worth a little bit of money. He had a cart on the back of his bike and would ride around town and collect the used pop cans. He would then take them home, crush them flat, and bag them up. He would then find different people to take him and his cans to a recycling place and get money for them. He was very diligent in working to get them all done. Sometimes his mother complained because people started to bring their cans to Ferrell and he couldn't always keep up with them. Neighbors could always hear him out in the back crushing cans for hours.

Ferrell's mother was always concerned for him being taken care of after she died and so he was provided for oft times sacrificing her own later year indulgences for his welfare. After her death, his brothers and sister helped him out for many years. But life will show you what not having any worries or concerns in life, having a lot of exercise by riding a bike or walking everywhere you go, and having a loving, good family and friends, you may outlive many of those that you love which he did.

Some of the things that Ferrell enjoyed were good western movies or TV shows. Many times, you could hear him yelling through his bedroom window, "Watch out!" "Don't go in there!" "Don't hurt her!" and so on. When Eugene's Theater was in business, I don't think that Ferrell missed any of the movies shown there. In fact, I think that the Wadsworth family probably let him watch more movies for free than he paid for. You could find him in the back row with a bag of popcorn. He also enjoyed country music and for a time would want to serenade you with an old guitar. Unfortunately, he didn't know how to play or how to carry a tune, but in his mind, he was right up there with Roy. At times, you could play a good song and get him to dance! He would start jigging and say, "Come on feet, dance."

Ferrell had a good friend in Tom Hirschi, and he became a regular fixture sitting in Tom's Hair Clip listening to all of the chat that was going on. Tom treated Ferrell so very well and included him in many ongoings. We are grateful to him and to the Hirschi family for their love and care for him. There were many people throughout his lifetime that were especially kind and good to him and we as a family are appreciative to all of you for your kind acts and service. Those at the Senior Citizen Center made sure that he was fed a good lunch and picked him up and let him ride around town with them. You were all so great.

Ferrell never married or had any children.

He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He is survived by his brother Mike and sister Ila Dawn. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Dwayne, Jerry and Jack.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hurricane City Cemetery.

Special thanks to those at the Hurricane Beehive Home (now the Oasis) who took care of Ferrell and kept him comforted and kept him comfortable on many nights and through the end of his life. We are greatly appreciative of your kindness and professional service.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Ferrell's online guest book at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com