James V. Loftus

James Vernon Loftus died March 13, 2016 in Long Beach, MS. He was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma to Margaret and Bernard .J. Loftus. He went to college at Oklahoma A & M where he met his wife, Mary Anna Wuller. After working for GE in Richland, Washington, Jimmy Vern was transferred to Stennis Space Center in 1964 where he fell in love with the South. After moving his bride and eight children to Long Beach, they added two more girls to the family. His biggest love was his Catholic faith. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church since 1964 serving as a Eucharistic Minister, on the pastoral committee, enjoyed carnival events, and taught CCD for many years. He was a member and president of the Long Beach School Board for multiple years. He was a family man who was devoted to our mother. You rarely saw one without the other and usually they walked hand in hand. Daddy loved being with his family whether it was to hike, windsurf, toss balls to his kids, play on the beach or just hang out with his family. He pursued his degree at night, driving to USM in Hattiesburg, and graduated with two of his children in 1980. He retired from Martin Marietta in 1995 as a construction estimator.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Bernard J. Loftus, his sons, John and James Loftus, his son-in-law, Randy Phillips, and a granddaughter, Mary Christine Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Anna Loftus, eight children, Mary Liotta, Jo (James) Loftus, Mildred (Ken) Bolden, Joseph (Nancy) Loftus, Martha (Conrad) Johnson, Maureen (Randy) Phillips, Jeffrey (Gretchen) Loftus, Michele (Mark) Christian, and Madeleine (Chuck) Morton, 35 grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren, his brother, Pat Loftus, and two sisters, Lois Hanses and Connie Raschko.
His grandchildren were invited to sum up their grandfather in one word: stoic, kind, intelligent, faithful, witty, dignified, genuine, wise, historical, inquisitive, cowboy, selfless, respectful, dapper, charming, loving, humorous, prayerful, calm, chivalrous, graceful, artistic, debonair, classy, handsome, and gentle.
Special thanks to his esteemed caregivers Cherrell Drones, Asha Holloway, Diane Jones, Mary Simmons, and Jackie Vince.
Visitation will be from 9-11 am Saturday, March 19, 2016, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to one's favorite church or charity.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach is serving the family and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com