James (Jim) Arvid Loftis was born in Portland, Oregon on Oct. 4, 1939 to Cristina Pearl Adams and James Pierce Loftis. He passed away Oct. 26, 2022.
He was married to Loretta Roraback. They had two children, George and Shawn. After separating from Loretta, Jim married Mary Jean Johnson, with whom he lived happily until her death on Feb. 14, 2016.
Mary Jean and Jim raised schnauzers (Silka, Luki, and Felix), along with several Percheron horses. Jim was heralded for saving a stranger’s life by administering CPR until emergency services arrived. Without his unrelenting effort the person would not have survived.
Jim served in the US Navy until 1962, received his associate’s degree from Chabot College in 1977, and worked at Lawrence Livermore Lab in California until he retired.
Along with Steve Riley, he designed and oversaw the installation of the Veterans Memorial in Silverton. After Mary Jean’s passing, Jim began a close relationship with Jean Fischer. They were married in December 2021.
He is survived by his two sons, George Douglas Loftis of Benicia, California and Shawn Joseph Loftis of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; as well as his beloved schnauzer Missy.
He is also survived by siblings Janetta Goddard, Lucy Broussard, AnnaLee Bowcut, and Willis Loftis. He was predecesed by siblings Rosa Lora Loftis, Geraldine Bateman, Laneece Loftis, Leland Loftis, George Loftis, Georgina Stephens, Lois Loftis, and JudaAnn Loftis.
His many friends and family members including his niece, Cristina Pearl Packham, and Ellen Strong, will remember him fondly.
A Celebration of Life was held on Nov. 5 in Silverton. Assisting the family is Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton.
