Loftin Johnson

JOHNSON - Mr. Loftin Johnson of Roswell, Georgia, born to James Edwin and Mary Elizabeth Loftin (Bessie) Johnson on December 15, 1910 in Fair Bluff, North Carolina, passed away on July 6 following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by Melvene, his wife of 66 years, his parents, his sister and brothers, as well as a daughter, Pamela. Loftin is survived by two sons, Jim, of Roswell, Georgia, and David, of Orange, California, their wives, Ellen and Cathy, three grandchildren: Christy Johnson, Jennifer Orr, and Mary Elizabeth Dion; five sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Robert’s Funeral Home, Dunnellon, Florida, on Friday July 13 between 6pm and 8pm. Services will take place at 11:00am on Saturday July 14 at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service in the family cemetery in Fellowship. A memorial service for Loftin will also be held 2:00pm on Saturday July 28 at Northbrook United Methodist Church in Roswell, Georgia. Loftin earned an EE degree in 1934 at the University of Florida by putting himself through college waiting tables. He then started his career with Florida Power and Light Company in 1935 in Palatka, Florida as a substation operator. In July 1939, he married his sweetheart, Melvene Young in Dania, Florida. Loftin’s career at FP&L was interrupted by World War II, where he served in the Navy as Lieutenant from July 1944 to March 1946. In addition to being stationed at Princeton and Harvard where he received his training, Loftin served on the headquarters ship, The USS San Clemente (AG-79) in the South Pacific. On December 29, 1945, their five year old daughter, Pamela, passed away after contracting Leukemia. After the war, Loftin continued his career with Florida Power and Light Company, moving to a number of towns in central Florida as he advanced in his career. On December 10, 1947, Loftin was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason of the Brevard Lodge Number 113 of Cocoa, Florida. In 1952, Loftin’s career took him to Miami, and, in November 1956, was promoted to Operating Vice President. While in Miami, Loftin and Melvene were very active in South Miami United Methodist Church. Loftin was also very active in the Boy Scouts with his two sons, Jim and David. Loftin retired in December 1975 as Senior Vice President with 40 years of service. In 1984, Loftin and Melvene moved to Roswell, Georgia to be near their grandchildren and became active members of Northbrook United Methodist Church. Loftin and Melvene also attended the First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon, Florida when they spent their summers at their home on the Rainbow River. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell/Alpharetta, 770/645-1414.

Loftin Johnson

December 15, 1910 - July 6, 2007