James Smith Loftin

James Smith Loftin III passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 12:29pm. James, more commonly known as Jim, Dad, or PooBear, was born on October 31,1948 to parents: James Smith Loftin II and Elizabeth (Hightower) Loftin in Tyler, Texas.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marlaine Loftin; sister, Jane Green and husband, JoeMax; daughter, Anne Walsh and husband, John; son, Robert Loftin and wife, Robin; grandchildren, Adrianna Baird and husband, Logan, Robert Loftin and wife, Kaley, and Ashlynn Wilson and husband, Larry; and great-grandson, Wyatt Baird.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James Smith Loftin Il and Elizabeth (Hightower) Loftin; and son, James Smith Loftin IV.

At the age of 14 he moved to the great town of Nacogdoches where his sister, Jane, and her husband, Joe Max, played an integral role in him becoming the loving, hardworking, strong, and resilient man that we all came to know him to be.

During college at Stephen F. Austin State University, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was a Seaman on the USS Hector where he served in the Vietnam war as a Gunners Mate Petty Officer 3rd Class (GMG3). While he was enlisted, he visited California with his friend, fellow Sailor, and future brother-in-law, Larry. Larry was married to Jeannine Landtiser (formerly Chalmers), sister of Marlaine Loftin. Little did Jim know that he would meet and fall in love with his wife on that trip. Jim and Marlaine became one on January 16, 1970 and celebrated their 54th anniversary this year (2024).

During the end of his enlistment, Jim and Marlaine welcomed their first child, Anne (1970), followed by James (1973) and then Robert (1974). Over the years Jim provided for his family in many ways, such as being a police officer, restaurant owner, and chef; he was an expert in many fields.

The Loftin family resided in Nacogdoches for a short while until moving to Harlingen, Portland, Corpus Christi, and finally Sugarland, where their children began their adult lives. Jim and Marlaine celebrated the arrival of their grandchildren and years later, followed them to Katy to see them grow up.

James was a strong and honest man who took pride in his family and was a friend to all. Jim was a husband who loved his wife wholeheartedly, through good times and not so good times, and shared a sense of humor that only a wife would recognize. As a friend he was always there to help; through the good, the bad, and the ugly. He was the Dad who always acted like a big kid; the fun parent that everyone wanted to be around. A Poobear, the kind that loved his grandchildren endlessly and was immensely grateful to have such a large role in their lives.

James Smith Loftin III never failed to express how much he loved his family and was there for anything that they needed. He will be greatly missed by his family and everyone that was blessed to have known him.

A strong and loving husband, father, and grandfather, brother, and friend. Known for his strength and resilience. Please join us in celebrating Jim's life by sharing your memories and stories that you share with him.