LANSING, Mich. -- Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement on the passage of Joel Ferguson, a businessman, Michigan State University trustee, United States Marine, and lifelong family friend. 

“Today, we mourn the loss of Joel Ferguson. A good man, Lansing legend, and proud Spartan, he was a friend to so many over his decades of service.  

“He built homes, stewarded his beloved alma mater MSU on the board of trustees, and served his nation in uniform as a United States Marine. Joel not only invested in his community, but he embodied its core values.  

“He made Michigan a better place, and I was proud to call him a longtime family friend. My thoughts are with his family and all those who were lucky enough to know him, work alongside him, and learn from him.” 

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