Dr. Alex Ferry, an alumnus of the Beta Omicron chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, passed away on December 27, 2011 surrounded by family at his Florida home.

Ferry was a member of Phi Kappa Nu, a local fraternity that became Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity when it chartered at NSU in 1956.  Having transferred to the NSU-Shreveport nursing campus before the transition to Pi Kappa Phi, Ferry never initiated with the founding group.

More than five decades later in December 2009, he was officially initiated into the brotherhood of Pi Kappa Phi. At the Founders’ Day Banquet following his initiation Ferry told the undergraduates, “You caused me to feel at home and really restored my good thoughts about today’s young students.” Ferry and his wife Joan would later attend several alumni reunions and events in Natchitoches.

According to Ferry’s obituary in the Alexandria Town Talk, he had a long full life. His first passion was his love of family, and second his love of cooking. He was happiest cooking over a pot of gumbo. He was a jokester, always pulling your leg, but affectionate and kind. Beta Omicron alumnus Jerry Payne may be able to attest to this. In 2009, Ferry recalled their friendship forged in grade school, one that continued as roommates during their Phi Kappa Nu days at Northwestern State.

Dr. Ferry went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University, a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters of Arts from the University of San Francisco, a Masters of Science from Xavier University, New Orleans, and a Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University.  He was a graduate of the United States Army Nurse Corps School of Nurse Anesthesia, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Dr. Ferry served twelve years on the Louisiana Board of Nursing as a gubernatorial appointee by three different Louisiana Governors.

Dr. Ferry was an active member in professional and service organizations. He was an appointed gubernatorial member of the Nursing Supply and Demand Commission and was appointed to represent the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. He was elected and served as President of the Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA), the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and has served on multiple committees in the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.  He was an appointed member of the Board of Trustees of Rapides Regional Medical Center, Alexandria, Louisiana.

Dr. Ferry was a retired Colonel in the US Army Nurse Corps and has served in administration, education, and practice positions. Prior to retirement he was the CEO/Administrator of the Dubuis Hospital in Alexandria.

In 2003 he assumed the position of Chair of the Division of Nursing at the Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana and retired in 2008.

Funeral services were held on December 30, 2011 at the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Survivors include: his bride of 52 years, Joan M. Ferry; daughters, Camille F. LaCroix (Charles) and Susan F. Owens (Ray); his son, Christopher A. Ferry (Nicole); and grandchildren, Ellen A. LaCroix, Walter A. LaCroix, Anne-Marie A. Owens, Kessler A. Ferry, N. Pearce Ferry and Charlotte E. Ferry.

Family members have suggested donations to the American Cancer Society for those wishing to pay tribute to his memory.