Major Santiago "Jim" Lira, Jr. died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. He was born on Sept. 30, 1927 to his parents Santiago M. Lira and Julia G. Lira. He was the eldest of five sons. They all preceded him in death as well as his parents. He married his one love Victoria A. Gomez and celebrated 66 years of marriage. They had daughters Nelda Lira (Thomas) and Irma Lira-Broker (widow of Charles) and a son Jaime David Lira who preceded him in death. He made the United States Marine Corp and the United States Air Force his career. He rose to the rank of Major in USAF and then retired 23 yrs. and 3 months later. The day after his first retirement he went to work as a loan officer at SAFE Credit Union. He was promoted to First Vice-President before retiring after 20 years in 1990. He then stayed home and took care of his Miss Vicky until her death July 2014. His eldest daughter took care of him while he busied himself building his fence and painting it. Woodwork was his hobby and sprucing up his backyard was always an ongoing project. He is survived by daughters Nelda and Irma; grand-daughter Meredith Dunston and grandson Andrew Dunston (Rachelle); great-grandchildren Grady Dunston and baby Sara Kathryn Dunston. He is also survived by his late brothers' nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. On Nov. 23, 2016 Jim Lira was buried at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery with full military honors. To share a fond memory or thought, please leave a comment at www.MountVernonMemorial.com