Loftin Ammon Harvey Jr.

Loftin A Harvey Jr, 90, passed away peacefully on 20 September 2026 at his home in Kearns, Utah. Born 24 March 1936 in Murray, Utah to Loftin A Harvey and Cleo Etha (Lee) Harvey. Student Body President at West High School (class of 1954) and a state champion hurdler, Loftin was the first in his family to graduate from university. He earned an MA in Comparative World Literature and French Language, an endeavor made possible by a scholarship awarded for his athletic prowess.

Loftin married Roseline on 25 October 1961 in Nice, France. They were sealed for all eternity in the Manti Temple in 1962. To all who knew them, their love for each other was an enduring example of devotion, kindness and service.

A teacher above all, Loftin began as an associate professor at the University of Utah, then taught as a professor at the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU-Hawaii). He later taught junior high at Vernal Junior High and Valley Junior High before joining Bingham High School, where he taught AP English and French for 22 years and was assistant track coach for many years. Beloved and respected by colleagues and students alike, he was voted Teacher of the Year eight times and, shortly before his retirement in 2001, he received the prestigious Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education. Over his years of teaching, Loftin inspired thousands of students and was often stopped by former students who thanked him for nurturing a lifelong love of literature and writing.

Loftin's teaching didn't stop in the classroom. Among other callings, he taught Sunday School for many years and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He later took his teaching to the world, serving two full-time French-speaking missions for the LDS Church with Roseline, in Switzerland and in Tahiti.

Loftin was an eternal student with an insatiable curiosity about the world and a particular love of languages. He trained as a Hungarian linguist in the National Guard, spoke French with the fluency of a native speaker, and could communicate in German and Italian. He loved any chance to use phrases he had learned in Japanese, Samoan, Tongan and Chinese, and was learning Haitian Creole and Spanish before he passed.

His eclectic interests included spear fishing off the coast of Oahu, corresponding prolifically with friends and acquaintances around the globe, and reading voraciously. He worked as Editor and Photographer at Intermountain Contractor, where he interviewed Robert Redford in 1978 at the inception of what would become the Sundance Film Festival. A keen writer, Loftin taught creative writing classes for adults, some of whom went on to publish books. He loved puns and catchphrases, and was a captivating storyteller known for his velvety, resonant voice.

Despite a life rich in experience, knowledge and human connection, Loftin was best known for his humility and his selfless desire to serve his family, friends, church and community. His family was his most cherished treasure.

Loftin was preceded in death by his parents Loftin and Cleo, and by his sister Lalagene.

He is survived by his wife Roseline; his children Gina (John), Sandra (Rodney), Loftin III (Tiffany), Dan (Julie) and Anne; 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

And always remember: "Repentance is a true principle."