Johnnie Lira, age 60, of Ulysses, Kansas, took Jesus’ hand on Saturday,
January 15, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children, at St. Catherine
Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born January 2, 1962, in North
Platte, Nebraska, the son of Jesse and Delores (Vieyra) Lira.
Johnnie grew up in North Platte, Nebraska, Wellington, Kansas, El Paso,
Texas, Satanta and Ulysses, Kansas. He graduated in 1980 from Ulysses
High School. He attended Dodge City Community College on a wrestling
scholarship. Johnnie began working at KDOT in 1988 and was the District
6 Area Superintendent. He married Marla Bushnell, his high school
sweetheart, on December 14, 1984, in Ulysses. Johnnie was the best
husband, dad and Grampo. His kids and grandkids were the light of his
world and his purpose in life. Johnnie loved Jesus and it was very
important to him that his family had accepted Jesus Christ as their
Savior. He also had a heart and passion for helping kids, was a
selfless man, and always put others first. He enjoyed being a coach for
kids wrestling and baseball, and wrestling coach for Ulysses High
School. He also served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and
children’s church leader. You could also find him fishing and playing
golf.
Johnnie is survived by his wife, Marla of the home; son, Kory Lira and
wife Mallory of Yukon, Oklahoma; daughter, Lesha Doyle and husband
Sterling of Yukon, Oklahoma; parents, Jesse and Delores Lira of North
Platte, Nebraska; sister, Valery (Lira) Crocker of North Platte,
Nebraska; brother, Jeffrey Lira of Elwood, Nebraska; four grandchildren,
Connor Doyle, Bennett Doyle, Kylee Lira and Kashton Lira;
mother-in-law, Mary Bushnell of Ulysses; as well as many other family
members and friends.
Johnnie is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Delvan Bushnell; and
grandparents, Manuel Vieyra, G.P. and Mary Gomez, and D.J. and Rosie
Perez.
Memorial service will be held Friday, January 21, 2022, at 11:00 AM at
First United Methodist Church in Ulysses, Kansas with Reverend Todd Guinn and
Pastor Kris Humphrey officiating. Memorial service will also be live
streamed on Garnand Funeral Home Face Book page. Inurnment will follow
at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to Johnnie
Lira Grandchildren’s Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant
Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.