Oscar Alfred Mira
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mr. Oscar Alfred Mira, 84, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Aug. 17, 2009.
He is survived by his children Leslie Mira, Glorine Mira Johnson and her husband Martin Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz., Oscar Mira Jr. of San Ramon, Calif., Susan Mira Busillo and her husband John Busillo of Princeton, N.J.; grandchildren, Jeremy Johnson and his wife Kellie Harris Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz., Joel Johnson and his wife Nancy Medina Johnson of Glendale, Calif., Jason Kessenich of Brentwood, Calif., Natalie Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz., Erica Busillo and Gregory Busillo of Princeton, N.J.; great-grandchildren, Alyssa Kessenich of Brentwood, Calif., Evan Johnson of Santa Rosa, Calif., Esme Johnson of Glendale, Calif., Jaden Johnson and Isaac and Isabella Payan of Phoenix, Ariz.
Oscar was a loving husband and best friend of his wife Helen who deceased in February of 2008. They were married for over 58 years. Oscar was born in 1925 in El Salvador to Alfredo and Amelia Mira. Oscar grew up in the city of San Salvador. He enjoyed spending time with his siblings Zoila, Dora, Dina and Dario as well as with his many cousins. He and his family migrated to San Francisco, Calif., in 1945. Shortly after, he became a United States citizen and joined the Army where he met and married his wife Helen Durham. They moved to San Francisco, Calif., in 1950 where they enjoyed more than 50 years raising children and sharing special times with family and friends. Oscar worked for 40 years as a production manager for Schlage Lock Co. in San Francisco. He and his wife Helen also spent many summers visiting family in Southern Illinois. They shared a special relationship with Helen's sister Doris and her husband Ken Koser, with whom they took annual trips. Oscar will be remembered for the many years of volunteering with youth and church organizations and especially for the 40-plus years of dedicated service to the San Francisco Janet Pomeroy Recreation Center for the Handicapped. In 2001, he and Helen moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where they continued to participate and assist with programs at the Phoenix Center for the Blind. He will be remembered for his loving kindness and wonderful smile.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel. Jeff Rush will officiate. Burial will follow in Durham Cemetery in Galatia. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page of the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.