Jim Jack Loftis

Lifelong Frederick resident Jim Jack Loftis, 94, passed away Thursday February 16, 2017 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma where he and his wife Nieta Faye (Ripley) Loftis had resided for the past two and a half years.  Jim was born June 18, 1922 in Frederick to Charles Loftis and Hazel (Stoneback) Loftis.  He graduated from Weaver High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1943 from Oklahoma A&M (Oklahoma State University).  He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a half track platoon leader in the 717th Tank Battalion, crossing the Rhine River in March 1945. Following the war he returned to Frederick to farm and for seven years also taught Veteran Agriculture classes.  In 1947 he married Frederick resident Nieta Faye Ripley, the love of his life.  Both Jim and Nieta were active in many church and community and state activities, serving both individually and as a happily married team together. In 1959 he became the U.S. Postmaster in Frederick where he held the job for 31 years, retiring in 1990. Jim was past president of the Frederick Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Frederick Country Club. He was named Frederick’s most useful citizen in 1967.  He was a Tillman County Conservation District Director for more than 30 years. He was instrumental in the construction of Lake Frederick for municipal water supply, and  received the Governors Conservation award for work in conserving Oklahoma soil and water resources. He served on the Tillman County Ambulance Board for 18 years ending in 2001.  Jim was active in First United Methodist Church in Frederick serving in many leadership roles and teaching Sunday school for many years.  Jim was a key organizer of the Red Cross blood mobile in Frederick.  He actively promoted the program with his time that included many speeches and radio addresses.  He donated blood and platelets, and continued to donate up until late 2016. His life time donations were just shy of his goal to donate 50 gallons. Following his retirement in 1990 Jim served as District Governor for Rotary International District 5770 which included the Frederick Rotary Club.  The organization’s theme for that Rotary year was “Real Happiness is Helping Others”.  Jim was the perfect fit to promote this theme and the Rotary “Service above Self” motto to all Rotary Clubs in the district that he and Nieta visited during his term.  Jim was also passionate about Rotary’s program to eradicate polio worldwide.   During retirement, Jim and Nieta took up ball room dancing with other Frederick couples.   Jim also served as mentor to troubled youth in the Frederick Public Schools.  Jim and Nieta moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in September 2014 and lived at Green Country Village Retirement community.  Jim and Nieta were quick to link in with their new home and became close friends with many residents and staff.  Jim was well known for his singing in the halls of the complex, and brightening the days of those he greeted each day.  Jim and Nieta were members of Bartlesville First Church.    Jim is survived by his wife Nieta; sons Jim C. of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Neil of Bartlesville; grandchildren Spencer Loftis of Chickasha, OK and Sam and Sarah Loftis of Ft Collins, and two great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday February 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Green Country Village chapel in Bartlesville with the Reverend Dr. Kevin Tully, Senior Pastor Bartlesville First Church officiating.  Orr Gray Gish Funeral Home111 N. 11th StreetFrederick, OK 73542(580) 335-2112