Jack Schira was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1938. He grew up on Cleveland's west side, graduating from Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School and attending one year at John Marshall High School. In June, 1952, Jack's family moved to Solon, Ohio.

Jack graduated from Solon High school lettering in track, baseball and football. He won an appointment to the USAF Academy and received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, graduating in 1960 on the Superintendent's List. He then attended M.I.T. receiving a Master of Science in Astronautics on an Air Force scholarship. Graduating in June 1962 on the Dean's List, he was assigned to Cape Canaveral, Florida where he became the Chief of Engineering for the Launch Vehicle and Launch Pad for all manned launches of the Gemini Space Program.

Upon completion of the Gemini Program, Jack volunteered for flying duty in the Vietnam War. As a Navigator, he completed 100 Photo Reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam. He then received a flying assignment to an F-4D all weather nuclear delivery squadron in Germany. After two years of this duty, he was honored with an assignment to Armed Forces Staff College followed by a tour in the Pentagon, as an Executive Officer and Budgeting Officer on the Air Staff, Directorate of Space.

Jack Completed his Air Force Career in a variety of staff positions and retired as a Colonel with 22 years active duty. Among his decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross, eleven Air Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals and the Commendation Medal.

After retiring from the Air Force Jack worked for several years in the Aerospace industry in the Dayton area. Moving to Brunswick Hills, Ohio in 1996, he worked in the home-building business for a while, did some substitute teaching in Medina County Schools. and served from 2000 through 2003 as a Brunswick Hills Trustee. Jack was also the Democratic Candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives, 69th District in 2002, 2006 and 2008.

. . . Jack [served] on the Northern Medina County Juvenile Diversion Board and [was] Commander of American Legion Post 234 in Brunswick. He [was] a member of the United Methodist Church of Brunswick and also [belonged] to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

(Excerpted from Jack's Curriculum Vita)