James Walter "Jim" Figueira

James Walter “Jim” Figueira, 83 of Tyler, died peacefully in his sleep at The Hospice of East Texas on Saturday, August 30, 2014. He spent the afternoon reminiscing with loved ones about his youth, Coast Guard experiences and his beloved jazz music, which was playing in his room.

Jim served his country with pride in the United States Coast Guard from 1947 to 1972, retiring with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. Throughout his 23 years of service in both aids to navigation (buoy tenders, light houses and lightships) and small boat search and rescue, Jim saw the world from San Luis Obispo, California to Winter Harbor, Maine; from Honolulu, Hawaii to Saipan, and the Marianas Islands.

After moving back to Tyler, Jim launched a second career as support supervisor with Century Wireline Services, exploring for sources of energy as far away as Wyoming and Pennsylvania, and as near as his own East Texas. He was affectionately known by his crew as "The Commandant” due to his keen engineering precision and military style of leadership.

He was preceded in death by his beloved former wife Margaret “Peggy” Figueira, to whom he remained devoted even in death. He is survived by daughter, Jeanne Figueira Grossetti and husband Peter of Akron, Ohio; son, Tracy Scott Figueira, of Tyler; sisters, Kay Figueira Seale, of Cleveland and Carol Figueira Koenig and husband H.W. “Buddy”, of New Ulm; his loyal friend and coworker Isidro Alaniz, of Tyler; and many nieces and nephews from coast to coast.

A consummate music lover, Jim will be fondly remembered by many as a great storyteller, able to spin a yarn to simultaneously entertain and inform on almost any subject.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, September 9, 2014 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Lloyd James Funeral Home. A graveside service with full military honors will be held Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 10:00 AM in Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery.

Please join the family in the Hospitality Room in Tyler Memorial Funeral Home at the conclusion of the graveside service where light refreshments will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701 in memory of James W. Figueira. http://www.hospiceofeasttexas.org/