George G. Lira

George G. Lira, of Riverside, CA, entered into eternal rest on July 14, 2021, at the age of 70 and the Lord took him home to heaven. George G. Lira was born on March 10, 1951, to Gregorio G. Lira and Helen G. Lira in Salinas CA. In 1955, the family moved to Riverside where George lived out the rest of his life. After graduating from John W. North High School, he went on to study music at Riverside Community College. Later, George retired in 2014 after working for over 20 years with University Mechanical in Anaheim where he had a dual role as a driver and warehouseman who held a forklift and first aid certificate in addition to a Class B commercial driver's license. He was a hard worker. In 1969, George married the love of his life Nicolasa Pasillas in the St. Cecilia Chapel at the Mission Inn in Riverside CA. The loving couple went on to have 3 children, Michelle Lira Sanchez, Rachel Lira Luera and Gregory G. Lira (Gregg). He took pride in his cooking, making his famous chili macaroni and BBQ were family favorites, and packed hearty lunches for his kids before sending them off to school. He often took his family on vacation and was a diehard Raiders fan. Many family get-togethers were at the Lira house on game day to share in the love for the silver and black. He was always there when we needed him. George "JR" Lira had an amazing amount of love for his wife Nikki, "Nik", children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends, and music. JR started out playing drums and with great musicality went on to play the congas and percussions. JR performed with many bands including Rene y Los So¤iadores, Raggz, No Limit, Nite Flite, J-Train and Double Vision. With intense passion of playing acoustic Latin percussion instruments such as the bongos, timbales, djembe, chimes and especially the congas, el conguero JR "Thwap Bap" was a legend. He is survived by his loving wife Nicolasa, children Michelle Sanchez, Rachel Lira Luera and Gregg Lira, son-in-law Robert Sanchez, sisters Virginia Lira Rosales and Angela Lira Schenck (spouse Robert Schenck), 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father Gregorio G. Lira, mother Helen G. Lira and sisters Rachel, Barbara, and Mary Alice. George was truly blessed, one of a kind and will be missed by all those left behind. The celebration of life and interment at Olivewood Memorial Park was on July 26, 2021.