Dr. Gene A. Loftis

Dr. Gene A. Loftis, 84, of Cape Girardeau, MO, passed from death to eternal life at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 after a long battle with Lymphoma and Parkinson's Disease. He was born August 27, 1928 in Ada, OK to Marroll F. and Ruth Gladys Sterling Loftis. Gene graduated from Lorenzo High School in Lorenzo, Texas. In 1946 at age 17, he joined the U.S. Navy CB's serving in the South Pacific. He and Delma J. Loftis met and married December 22, 1950 while attending East Central University at Ada, Oklahoma. Gene received his B.S. in Education in 1952 from East Central University at Ada. He received his M.Ed. and Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. Gene taught business in the Oklahoma City Public Schools from 1953 to 1957. From 1957 to 1967 he served as an Associate Professor at the University of Central Oklahoma at Edmond. In 1967, Dr. Loftis moved to Cape Girardeau as Head of Department, Professor of Business Administration and Business Education of Southeast Missouri State University. In 1970 to 1976 he served as Chairman of the Division of Practical and Fine Arts: Head of the Department and Professor of Business Administration and Business Education. He became the first Dean of the College of Business, Professor of Business Education of Southeast Missouri State University from 1976 to 1982. He then returned to the classroom and served as Professor of Business Education and Office Administration. Dr. Loftis was a member of Bethany Baptist Church. Throughout his life he taught Sunday School to boys and men of all ages. He was an ordained Deacon since the age of 32. His greatest joy was distributing Bibles through the Gideon Ministry. After his retirement Gene served as a missionary teaching business at a college in China and went to Brazil to help build 2 churches. Gene believed that the greatest thing that a Christian can do is to tell a lost person the Good News of Jesus Christ. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Delma of Cape Girardeau, MO Daughter - Pamela (Jim) Lowes, Edmond, OK Daughter - Jonalyn (Parker) Zimmerman, Springfield, MO Son - Randall (Robin) Loftis, Ft. Worth, TX Grandchild - Janelle (Soni) Castillo, Joplin, MO Grandchild - Patrice Lowes, Oklahoma City, OK Grandchild - Ryan (Amy) Zimmerman, Dallas, TX Grandchild - Lauren (Alex) Skelton, Jackson, MO Grandchild - Allison Loftis, Ft. Worth, TX Grandchild - Jared Loftis, Ft. Worth, TX Great Grandchild - Loralie Castillo Great Grandchild - Ethan Castillo Great Grandchild - Everett Skelton Brother - Walter (Joan) Loftis, Reedley, CA Brother - Don (Judy) Loftis, Ft. Worth, TX Sister - Pat (Ben) Herrell, Ft. Smith, AR He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bob Loftis. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 8, 2013 at Bethany Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau with the Dr. Shawn Wasson officiating. Burial will follow at Bloomfield Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO. with full military rites conducted by the Missouri Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be given to Siteman Cancer Center, Southeast Health Cancer Center, Parkinsons Disease Research, Missouri Veterans Home, or Bethany Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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Dr. Gene A. Loftis

February 5, 2013