At 0020 hours, 28 October 2016, Major(R) James Joseph Santa-Lucia,
a quiet, unassuming, outstanding soldier attained his Final Objective –
eternal peace in the hands of the Lord.
Jim began his journey with his birth in Binghamton, New York on 13 May 1949.

Jim spent his childhood in Binghamton where his father,
Joseph, worked as an executive for IBM and his mother,
Margaret, worked as a homemaker.
Upon graduation from Union Endicott High School,
Jim left home to enter the University of Arizona.
He graduated from the U of A in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Following graduation,
he enlisted in the United States Army to
attend Officer Candidate School.
Upon graduation from OCS, he received a
commission in the Military Intelligence Branch.

During his 20-year active duty career,
Jim served throughout the world in positions of increasing responsibility,
culminating as the Commander, Joint Combined
PSYOP Support Element to Operation Proven Force, Desert Storm.
Jim's awards, decorations, and badges include
the Defense Meritorious Service Medal,
Army Meritorious Service Medal (3d Award),
Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2d Award),
Army Achievement Medal, Army of Occupation Medal,
National Defense Service Medal (2d Award),
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars,
Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon,
Overseas Service Ribbon (2d Award), Special Forces Tab,
Parachutist Badge, and the German Army Military Efficiency Badge in Silver.
His military specialties included Military Intelligence,
General and Counter Intelligence, Special Forces,
Psychological Operations, and Foreign Area Russia/Eastern Europe.

Following military retirement,
Jim began a twenty-three year career as a Department of Defense contractor.
In his last contractor position, he served as a program manager
for Sentel Corporation, specializing in Special Operations Forces Acquisition,
Technology, and Logistics. Throughout his careers, Jim was highly
regarded by all with whom he came into contact due to his keen intellect,
professional standards, and his loyalty to his
organizations and fellow soldiers and contractors.

Jim is survived by his cherished and devoted wife, Gudrun;
his daughter, Martina; her husband, Thomas;
granddaughters, Katharina and Verena; her husband, Ricco;
grandson, Felix; as well as aunts, uncles,
cousins, and friends too numerous to mention.