JOHN MICHAEL LIMA

John, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Lemoore on Thursday, March 7, 2013, surrounded by his loved ones. John was born on the family ranch in Lemoore on September 20, 1926, to Miguel "Mike" Lima and Marie Luciano Lima. He attended San Jose School, and worked on the family dairy. John met Lorain Rigole, the love and partner of his life, and they married in 1949. The family moved briefly to the Los Angeles area, where John continued to work on dairies. After moving back to Lemoore, John returned to farming with his father and his brother, Clarence. John loved his volunteer work as a Hall's Corner fire fighter, and he used that experience to become a fire fighter and crew chief at Lemoore Naval Air Station in 1962 during the Viet Nam War. After retiring from fire-fighting, John worked for Riverdale School District. He was a member of The Sons of Italy and The Cabrillo Club. John served as president of the Lemoore Trinity Association, and participated in many Lemoore Festas. John and Lorain loved to travel, and they were fortunate enough to have visited all fifty states. John's sense of humor was legendary, and his playful spirit will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known him. John is survived by his son, Jonathan Steven "Steve" Lima and his wife Mary of Woodlake; daughter, Linda Annette Lima Cano of Fresno; grandchildren, Lindsy Weiss Chuman and her husband Patrick, Anna Lima Hilvers and her husband Mick, Rebecca Lima, Michael Lima, Catherine Lima, Bridget Lima and Mark Lima; four greatgrandchildren; brother, Clarence Lima and his wife LaVerne; and brother, David Lima and his wife Fatima; sisters-in-law, Frances Rigole Dias, and Nelda Rigole Brewer and her husband Delbert; many nieces and nephews, cousins and life-long friends. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Lorain; and sister, Evelyn Lima Veiga. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 870 N. Lemoore Ave., in Lemoore at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013, with the Service at 11:00 a.m. interment at Lemoore Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to John's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tn. 38105; or the Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N. First St. Fresno, Ca. 93703. Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel, 420 'D' Street, Lemoore, California (559)924-5611