Leadwood names highway after Ferlin Husky

LEADWOOD, MO (KRCU) - A drive through Leadwood, Missouri now means a cruise on Ferlin Husky Highway.

The St. Francois County community renamed a section of highway after the famous country singer and actor on Saturday. Husky grew up in the nearby town of Hickory Grove.

Leadwood mayor John Hartly says Husky played a concert in Leadwood earlier this year at the age of 85.

"We had over 2,000 people that night. Mr. Husky did come. It was just a great time. He met a lot of his friends. We had that for him in January, and two later in March he passed away," Hartly said.

Ferlin Husky is perhaps best known for his songs “Gone” and “Wings of a Dove.”

Mayor Hartly says Leadwood also has a street named after the country music star.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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St. Francois native Ferlin Husky dies

County singer and Missouri native Ferlin Husky died on Thursday at a Nashville hospital. 

Husky had songs that topped the charts in the 1950s and 1960s, including “Gone”, which he wrote and performed. Another top Husky hit, “Wings of a Dove”, was written by Bob Ferguson.

Husky grew up in Flat River, Missouri in St. Francois County. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II, and later worked as a disc jockey in Missouri and California.

In addition to his singing career, Husky also acted in 18 movies.

Husky was introduced into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

He was 85 years old.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

Photo courtesy of ferlinhusky.com

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