Johnny Henry Ferreyra was a strong man of integrity. He was a family man who loved all that life had to offer—sports, games, career, working with his hands, movies, traveling and eating all kinds of foods! He always had an open door for his family. He empathized with our challenges, supported our dreams and accomplishments, and gave thoughtful advice when needed. He also had a playful side, and affectionately teased those he loved with his fun sense of humor.
Johnny was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Henry and Nellie Ferreyra on August 31, 1938. The second oldest of six sons, he grew up surrounded by his brothers and uncles. Together they palled around in school, worked in the fields, played in irrigation ditches, and got into all kinds of mischief. At 23 he joined the Navy and was stationed at Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. There he learned Computer Systems which became his lifetime career. He stayed in the San Francisco Bay Area and landed a job at Ford Aerospace where he stayed for over 30 years. He attended San Jose State University and ultimately achieved a 4-year BA degree in Accounting from the University of Redlands.
He met Sylvia (and Susan and Nancy) at a mutual friend’s party and fell in love with this “ready-made” family. They wed in 1973 and had their daughter Kimberly shortly thereafter. Family fun was board games (Monopoly), lawn croquet, movie nights, and vacation trips to visit family (Las Vegas, southern California, Albuquerque, Nebraska) with sightseeing on the way (Grand Canyon, Tijuana, Disneyland, Yellowstone). A loving father, he could always be counted on to give sound advice about anything-- buying a new car, how much to put aside for retirement, deciding if a potential job was a good choice, and matters of the heart. Gage and Luis gave Johnny “Papa” status and further filled out his raucous clan! He so loved spending time with his grandchildren, playing outside, watching movies, and listening to their stories.
Throughout his life, he was an athlete/sportsman. He was recruited (along with his uncles) by a local community group for boxing and became Nebraska Golden Gloves state champion in the Flyweight division. He bowled for decades on his work team and won numerous trophies. He also enjoyed his work softball team, rollerbladed with co-workers on his lunch break, and rode his bike to work.
When Johnny retired in the late 90s, he and Sylvia moved to Paso Robles. They loved gardening together, traveling, playing games, and watching action movies from their twin easy chairs. Their home was filled with family holiday and summer fun. After Sylvia passed Johnny would walk the mile to visit her grave to bring flowers and share what was happening in his life.
Johnny is survived by his daughters Susan Marie (Joe Marsh), Nancy Anne (Morning Shu) and Kimberly Dawn, grandsons Gage Jeffery John (child of Kim) and Luis (child of Susan), brothers George (Lisa) and Richard (Carol).
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