CMSgt (USAF Ret) John Michael O’Day, 64, of Milton, Florida, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2015, with his family by his side.

John was a native of Mohawk, New York, and was one of six children born to John C. O’Day, and the late, Joan T. O’Day. He proudly served 28 years on active duty in the United States Air Force. John’s duty stations included Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam; Luke AFB, Arizona; Udorn RTAB, Thailand; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Edwards AFB, California; Misawa AB, Japan; Hurlburt Field, Florida; Travis AFB, California; and served in the Vietnam Campaign and Operation Desert Storm. After retiring from the Air Force, he continued to serve our nation as a technical school instructor to both US Air Force and US Navy students at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Joan T. O’Day; and his two brothers, Thomas W. O’Day (Dawn), and Christopher J. O’Day (Joan).

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Wanwimone O’Day; his son, Choawit O’Day (Pon); three daughters, July Hart (Frank), Veganda Wasserman (Tom), and Winda Sidor (John); and ten grandchildren; Danny, Amanda, Myranda, Donny, Kiersten, Kimberly, Gabby, Megan, Ian, and Karman. Also surviving John, are his sisters, Kathy Tucker (Gary), and Mary Olbrich (David); and one brother, Dan O’Day.

Growing up, John loved to fish, water ski and pull pranks on his siblings for a good laugh. He was always fun and spontaneous. As a husband, father, and grandfather, John loved his family deeply. His sense of humor remained, yet, he worked very hard to give them everything they wanted or needed and took every opportunity to let them know how proud of them he was. He also loved woodwork and could fix almost anything. He and his wife often enjoyed hosting cookouts at their home and catching up with friends or extended family.

John was a member of Saint Rose of Lima in Milton. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m., at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church (6451 Park Avenue, Milton, Florida) on Thursday, February 26, 2015. Internment with Full Military Honors will start at 11:45 a.m., at Barrancas National Cemetery onboard Pensacola NAS (Naval Air Station, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, Florida.) A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony at the home John shared with his loving wife.

The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. They would also like to thank the staffs at the following organizations for the love and care given to John over the last few months: LSU Health in Shreveport, Louisiana, Promise Health Care in Bossier City, Louisiana, and Covenant Hospice in Milton, Florida.

The family would love for you to post a special memory of John on Lewis Funeral Home's website at www.lewisfuneralhomes.net.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to "St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital" in memory of CMSgt John M. O’Day. You may donate by clicking on the "Donation" tab on this website or by visiting www.stjude.org/donatenow If you would like the family to be notified of your dedicated donation, please email them at jandwoday@gmail.com.