John Ferreira, 50

John H. Ferreira, 50, died at home on March 25, 2006, with his wife, Tammy, and daughter, Bobbie, at his side.

A memorial service will be held today, Wednesday, March 29, at 9 a.m., at the Gunfighters Club, Mountain Home Air Force Base. A service also will be held in Hawaii at a later date with John's family. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

John was born March 10, 1956, to Helen and Manual Ferreira in Kunia, Hawaii, where he attended school and graduated from Leilehua High School in 1974.

He joined the Air Force in 1975 to see the world. During his 26 years in the Air Force he was stationed at David-Monthan AFB, Ariz., Osan AB, Korea, Dyess AFB, Texas, USAF Academy, Colorado, Nellis AFB, Nevada, Incirlik AB, Turkey, Mountain Home AFB, and HQ ACC Comptroller Directorate, Langley AFB, Virginia, where he retired in 2001.

Along the way John earned three associate degrees and a bachelors degree from Regis College.

When John retired, he exchanged his uniform for civil clothes and went to work as a civilian for the Air Force. He started at Langley AFB, Va., and continued at Hickam, AB, Hawaii, before becoming a Senior Accountant for Mountain Home AFB.

"John never met a person he didn't like or couldn't put a smile on their face with one of his stories," his family said. "There are many airmen around the world that still call him 'Dad' because he cared so much for his Air Force family.

"John was well known for his love of blackjack, video poker and selling baseball cards on E-Bay. The only thing he put before his dedication to the Air Force was his family, that he loved so very much. Like his grandson always said, 'Tappa's Tough'. He was a wonderful husband and fantastic 'Daddy'."

John is survived by: his wife, Tammy, of Mountain Home; daughters Bobbie Thomas Bailey and her husband, Joe, of Nampa, and Malia Ferreira of Tucson, Ariz.; a son, William Ferreira of Hill AFB, Utah; one grandson; his mother, Helen Ferreira of Mililani, Hawaii; brothers Tim (Flo) Ferreira of Mililani, Hawaii, Gary (Shirley) Ferreira of Pearl City, Hawaii, Mike (Kathy) Ferreira of Mililani; sister Sue Ann (David ) Lopez of San Bernardino, Calif., and 30 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and a nephew.

"With John's love of caring for others," the family suggested donations be made in his name to the First Sergeants Food Locker, at Mountain Home AFB, c/o Mike Guyer, 1793 Harmony Ct., Mountain Home, ID 83647.