Barbara "Tommi" Femrite

Tommi dedicated her entire adult life to the ministry, particularly the unreached people in foreign nations. She was born in Racine, Wisconsin on March 17, 1947. St Patrick’s day was an auspicious day to be born into her Irish and Greek family. She and her 2 younger brothers were raised in a Navy family, with her father spending long stretches at sea. Her feisty and energetic heritage served her well throughout her life. Tommi was an excellent scholar and avid sportswoman. She lettered in Field Hockey at Longwood College, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, and brought her love of that sport to Texas Tech, spearheading the first women’s Field Hockey Association in the state of Texas.

While visiting her grandparents in Glenwood, MI, she caught the eye of a young Air Force cadet, Ralph Femrite who was visiting his family. After a local dance, she asked him for a ride home since “He had to be up early to milk the cows.” A whirlwind long-distance courtship ensued, and after their engagement at the Air Force Ring Dance, they were wed on March 3, 1968. She was now the young bride of an Air Force pilot, and her childhood as a military dependent segued into that of an officer’s wife, a life she had learned from watching her mother live with style and grace.

Tommi and Ralph raised 2 children, Carri and Eric, who have blessed them with 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Throughout Ralph’s military career, including remote tours and long TDY’s they were both actively involved in their children’s lives, especially their athletics. Over the years, Tommi was a gymnastics coach, a soccer coach and a swim team official, in addition to playing soccer and softball on her own adult leagues. Tommi also loved golfing, skiing and snorkeling, and traveling. She was extremely competitive and refused to accept less than one’s very best, including her own.

“Home is where the Air Force sends us!” was frequently heard in their home, usually before moving to another state, or another country. Their first 12 years together (after being apart while Ralph was stationed in Thailand) they moved from Indiana to Kansas to Arizona to Virginia to Alabama, back to VA and then to Texas. The next 10 years were spent overseas in Korea, the Philippines and Japan. A few stateside tours in Vegas, DC and TX again, and they were ready for their final station in Colorado Springs, CO where they retired from the Air Force and joined forces in the ministry.

Tommi dedicated her life to Christ and served as a powerful example to other military wives and their families. She and Ralph served as Youth Group leaders, Bible Study leaders, and later as Elders in their church. Tommi was actively involved in Women’s Aglow International and later called to minister to the unreached peoples all over the globe, in some of the most challenging places on Earth, such as Mongolia, Uganda, Bosnia and of course her beloved Korea and Philippine Islands. She was an incredible teacher and prophet, traveling the world, speaking to and teaching those in leadership positions on the power of prayer and strategic intercession. She authored 2 books and co-authored several others. Tommi never lost her thirst for knowledge and received her PhD in Practical Ministry, along with becoming an ordained minister. She had the joy of baptizing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their dedication ceremonies. Tommi served with Intercessors International for many years before being led to open her own full-time ministry, Gatekeepers International and later Apostolic Intercessors Network.

She and Ralph dedicated his retirement years to ministering together, globally. They continued to be stalwart leaders in their church and community, and were actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives. Tommi had the joy of taking her 2 oldest grandchildren on their first mission trips overseas and planned to continue this tradition. Unfortunately, she lost the love of her life, Ralph, to cancer 7 years ago, and has valiantly fought the terrible disease of Alzheimer’s since then. She was anointed with oil and had scripture prophetically read to her on the day she was finally ready to join her husband and her Savior in Heaven.

Tommi is survived by her daughter Carri Bell (Joel), her son Eric Femrite (Jaclyn), grandchildren Ashley Harris (David), Andrew Gibbs (Rebekah), Alexia Bell, Zachary Bell, Emerson Femrite, Colt Femrite and her great-grandchildren, Ariadne and Charisma Harris, Sterling and Raelyn Gibbs, as well as her 2 brothers and their respective families, and her extended family on Ralph’s side.

She will be mourned by her beloved family and the thousands of people who were blessed to hear her speak, teach and pray over them. Tommi fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the Faith; now she will receive the crown of righteousness the Lord will award her for her years of faithful service and dedication to Him.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Swan Law Funeral Home, 501 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 on Thursday, July 28, 2022. The family will gather from 3:00 – 4:00 and friends may join from 4:00 – 7:00. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on July 29, 2022 at the Air Force Academy Cemetery, Parade Loop Dr, just west of Stadium Blvd. A reception will be held at the Eisenhower Golf Club, immediately following the burial.