Obituary for Gerald Don Loftis
Gerald Don Loftis, 90 of Cookeville, Tennessee, passed away at his home after an extended period of poor health-related issues.
He was born Sunday, April 17, 1932, in Livingston, Tennessee, and he was the son of the late Edna (Laycox) Loftis and Walter Loftis. He was also very close to his late uncle and aunt Claude and Eula (Laycox) Terry.
He had a hardscrabble life as a young man which helped him to appreciate the outdoors and the simple things in life. He acquired his first beagle as a boy for a few dollars (which he didn't have) from a local farmer which he worked out by doing odd jobs. For the rest of his life, he enjoyed being outside with his dogs and with his beagling community friends. He was a loyal, honest, hardworking person. He left school and traveled to Michigan to find work in the automotive industry eventually landing a job with Bower Roller Bearing Company where he stayed until retirement when he moved his family back to Tennessee. He was a Korean War veteran, serving honorably with the United States Army's 2nd Infantry Division. He was proud of his service to his country though never boasting.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Loftis, daughter Diane Derossitt of Algood, and son Dennis Loftis of Cookeville.
He is also survived by Sisters, Marie Cantrell of Rogersville, Tennessee, Connie Clinton and her husband Terry, and Vickie Poston and her husband Rick both of Cookeville.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his Brother, Bobby Loftis, and 2 Sisters, Roanna Bryant, Glenda Faye Mayberry and son-in-law Garry Derossitt.
He was born Sunday, April 17, 1932, in Livingston, Tennessee, and he was the son of the late Edna (Laycox) Loftis and Walter Loftis. He was also very close to his late uncle and aunt Claude and Eula (Laycox) Terry.
He had a hardscrabble life as a young man which helped him to appreciate the outdoors and the simple things in life. He acquired his first beagle as a boy for a few dollars (which he didn't have) from a local farmer which he worked out by doing odd jobs. For the rest of his life, he enjoyed being outside with his dogs and with his beagling community friends. He was a loyal, honest, hardworking person. He left school and traveled to Michigan to find work in the automotive industry eventually landing a job with Bower Roller Bearing Company where he stayed until retirement when he moved his family back to Tennessee. He was a Korean War veteran, serving honorably with the United States Army's 2nd Infantry Division. He was proud of his service to his country though never boasting.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Loftis, daughter Diane Derossitt of Algood, and son Dennis Loftis of Cookeville.
He is also survived by Sisters, Marie Cantrell of Rogersville, Tennessee, Connie Clinton and her husband Terry, and Vickie Poston and her husband Rick both of Cookeville.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his Brother, Bobby Loftis, and 2 Sisters, Roanna Bryant, Glenda Faye Mayberry and son-in-law Garry Derossitt.