John Griffin Loftin

Funeral services for John Loftin, 75, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, April 2, 2018, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA, with Rev. J. Roddy Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, Monday, at the funeral home.

John Griffin Loftin was born in Monroe, LA, August 13, 1942, to J.C. and Elizabeth Cudd Loftin and passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2018. John married the love of his life Sylvia Whitehead in 1963, and they enjoyed almost 55 years of marriage. In addition to Sylvia, John leaves behind three sons: John Loftin (Mitch), Jim Loftin (Rachel), and Robert Loftin. More importantly, “Big Daddy” leaves behind his “Four Favorite People,” his grandchildren: “Best Buddy” Anne Marie Loftin (19), Sarah Grace Loftin (14), Ellie Loftin (14), and “Favorite Boy” Jack Loftin (11). In addition, John leaves behind two sisters and a brother: Elizabeth “Sissi” Loftin, Lila Gebhardt, and William “Bill” Loftin.

John’s greatest legacies are his love for his family and the example he set as a husband, father, and grandfather. He was driven to make sure his children and grandchildren were cared for and given the opportunity to succeed. He always placed the welfare of his family above everything else, whether by sending his three sons to Stanford University or always being available to watch the grandchildren (with Sylvia’s help, of course). He attended dozens of grandparents’ days and award ceremonies, and he rarely missed an opportunity to watch his grandkids play ball. His cheers and signature rhymes will be missed around the ball fields at Saul Adler this year.

John graduated from Neville High School, in 1960, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Vanderbilt University in 1964, and Bachelor of Laws from Tulane University in 1967. After law school he went to work for his father, J.C. “Money Man Mose” Loftin at Friendly Finance. “Money Sonny” took over as head of Friendly Finance upon his father’s death, in 1978, and guided the business through 40 successful years. During this time, John served as President of the Downtown Monroe Lions Club, served on the Board of the Better Business Bureau, served on the Board of River Oaks School, was a member of the Law Committee for the American Financial Services Association, and became a Master Mason and member of the Shrine. John carried on his father’s legacy of supporting local schools, churches, and civic groups including Monroe Youth Baseball Association and Monroe Youth Girls Softball.

John loved the outdoors, especially spending time with family and friends at his camp and houseboat on the Ouachita River, and deer hunting with his sons and grandchildren on Davis Island and, later, Ashbrook Island. As with everything he did, his favorite pastimes always revolved around family.

Sylvia and the family would like to thank Drs. Scott Barron, Daryl Marx, Kerry Anders, and Emile Barrow for going above and beyond the call of duty while John was receiving treatment. Thanks also go out to Donald Smith for taking care of John these past few weeks, and a very special thank you goes out to Sylvia’s “lifesaver”, Earline Henderson, for all of her and her family’s help over the years.

Pallbearers: R.F. Wilson, Steve Powell, P.J. Turpin, Ned White, Carrick Inabnett, and Stan Wooldridge.

Honorary Pallbearers: James Wooldridge, Carrick R. Inabnett, and Tommy Cruse.

In lieu of flowers, please make a dontation to your favorite charity.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA