James Andrew Loftus

James Loftus exemplified the true beauty of life.

Jim was born in 1932 in Indianapolis to George and Ina Loftus. He was raised in a large 4th generation Irish family with seven sisters and two brothers. “The flats” is what they called it. Pre-owned shoes, homegrown vegetables, and hand-stitched clothes were treasures to the family.

Jim learned the values of hard work and education at an early age. His father, George Andrew Loftus always said, “A job worth doing is a job worth doing well.” Jim lived by that advice. At a young age, he obtained his first “real” job, a custodian at Bush Stadium. He took pride in sweeping the stands, cleaning the press boxes, and tending the lush green grass. Jim rarely spent his earnings on personal items. He chose to spend it on dolls for his sisters or the family’s first icebox. Caring for others came naturally to him.

Jim attended George Washington High School where he met the love of his life, Shirley Long. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim returned home to Indianapolis and married his high school sweetheart.

After marriage, Jim found his professional calling. In 1956 he was accepted into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 481. Jim took great pride in his work and served his labor union and his community well.

A few years of hard work and sacrifice passed, and the couple decided to adopt children. James and Shirley raised Jeff and Vicki Loftus with love and warmth.

Jim demonstrated his abilities and perseverance of character throughout his life. After Shirley’s passing in 2000, he remained active and engaged. He enjoyed loving his granddaughter through nursing school and enjoyed welcoming 4 great-grandchildren into this world. He gave of himself to his family completely. Jim never thought of himself first. He always had the needs of others in mind. I pray that we can all learn from Jim’s example and love each other the way he loved us. Genuinely, completely, sacrificially, and without judgment, reserve, or regret.