James Manuel Lemos, Sr., returned to Our Lord on January 19, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Juanita (Janie) R. Lemos; mother, Angelica G. Lemos; father, Arturo G. Lemos; brothers, Frank, Robert, and Melquiades (Mel) Lemos; as well as his sisters, Delia Hale, Mary Gonzalez, and Micaela Rosalez.
He is survived by sons, James Jr., and Arthur A. Lemos; daughter, Laura E. Schirripa; and his beloved daughters-in-law, Lonnie Lemos and Pamela Lemos. He had eight beautiful grandchildren: Alexandra, Arthur Antonio, Bria, Ciara, Hannah, Matthew, Madison, and Easton; and four great-grandchildren: Isabella, Gemma, Janie James, and Valentina.
He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on August 12, 1930; one of seven siblings. He attended Roy Miller High School and Del Mar College. He proudly served in the United States Air Force, stationed in Iceland for two years. In 1959 he was transferred to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. He and his wife Juanita or “Janie” loved it so much, they decided to call it home once his military service was complete. It was in Las Vegas that he spent most of his life and where he and his wife built their life together and raised a family.
James was a classically trained vocalist in the baritone range and a classical, flamenco guitar player. He was hand selected to front the Antonio Morelli Orchestra as lead vocalist at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a versatile musician and contributed to a variety of social and cultural community-based organizations. He participated in educational workshops for the Clark County School District, designed to teach life skills and instill positive moral values through music and the arts. He also performed in traditional mariachi bands for numerous Mexican heritage festivals and multicultural events.
For 23 years, he led the choirs of both Catholic and Protestant services at the Nellis Air Force Base chapel and produced, arranged, and conducted midnight Masses during Advent and Passion Plays for Easter.
After retiring from singing and conducting at the AFB chapel, he led the music with longtime collaborator, organist Leonard Brannum, at St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church in Las Vegas, where he and his wife were devoted parishioners until her death in 2015.
James also dedicated time and energy to other charities and community-based activities in the burgeoning city. He supported his growing boys as a volunteer Cub Master in the Scouts. He also served as president of a Mexican social club and was a dog obedience instructor for the Silver State and LV Kennel Clubs.
James volunteered his talents without hesitation. His quick and selfless response to the 1980 MGM Hotel fire demonstrated his willingness to act. In a pre-Internet, pre-mobile world, he heard the authorities had converted the Las Vegas Convention Center into a makeshift shelter for the displaced tourists and victims. He was a fluent speaker of Latin-based languages, including Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and French, and wanted to help. He headed directly to the convention center that morning and stayed until late into the evening, serving as a translator to help tourists contact loved ones who were outside the country.
In a media interview following the event he was asked for his thoughts on the city’s response to the tragedy. He said that although Las Vegas is known as “Sin City,” their response proved to outsiders what he knew and loved about Las Vegas: that this community was full of amazing people who come together to help each other when in need.
Through the years he provided for his family working for Sutton Vending, Western Cigar and Western Supply companies as a salesman. He was admired and loved by all his customers. Although he attempted retirement in the mid-1990s, it was short-lived as he was not one to rest or take leisure time. His oldest son, James, connected him with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to work in a fleet shuttle service, where he was responsible for transportation maintenance and relocation of police cars and bicycles.
He worked until he was 85 years old, finally retiring in 2015 after the death of his beloved wife, Janie.
As a devout Roman Catholic, he offered his talents to the church throughout his life. In his later years he served as a Eucharistic minister and head usher at St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
James spent the final years of his life in Atlanta, Georgia, under his family’s loving care.
Above the many roles he played in life, James was most importantly a father. He was not just a father to his three children; he was a father to countless others. James was a toddler when he tragically lost his own father, yet he instinctively knew how to be the quintessential Dad. He knew what to say and when to say it; how to lead so others would follow; and how to make his grandchildren and great-grandchildren feel like they were the single most important person in the world. As one of the most admired and loved fathers one has ever known. he will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider dedicating a Mass in his name, contributions in his name to St. Bridget Parish St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church in Las Vegas or contribute to your local Catholic Charities.
The Lemos family will plan and hold a funeral Mass and private interment ceremony for him and his beautiful wife, Juanita in Las Vegas, Nevada to be scheduled for a later date.
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