Jimmie Loftis

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jimmie Loftis [send private message]

Jimmie was born at head of Morrison’s Creek (tributary to Roaring River and then to Cumberland River) near Gainesboro in Jackson County, TN on 21 Apr 1944 in the family home. He rode a bus to 1-8 grade school at Morrison’s Creek for first two years under teacher and cousin, Jeffie Fox (approximately 20 students). Family moved to Cookeville in Putnam County in 1952 and he began school at two-teacher Locust Grove, transferred to Cookeville City School and then to new Park View. Graduated from Cookeville High School in 1962 where he was active in 4-H, FFA and Beta Club. Served as state 4-H Council’s VP, All-Star District Big Chief and on state winning 4-H poultry (#1 high individual) and land judging teams plus state soil and water conservation project with trips to Oklahoma City and twice to National 4-H Congress in Chicago.

Graduated in June 1966 with B.S., Agriculture, Tennessee Technological University (TTU) in Cookeville and commissioned through ROTC as 2LT in US Army. Active as local chapter and national president of Agronomy Clubs, Rebel Rifles Drill Team (marched in 1964 in Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans), Scabbard & Blade Military Honorary, Distinguished Military Graduate, ROTC summer camp at Ft. Bragg, Delta Tau Alpha (Agriculture Honorary) and selected as one of six seniors to TTU Honor Society. Worked summers as staff at 4-H Camp in Crossville, TN and Boy Scout Camps at Camp Cherokee on Lake Ocoee (near Cleveland, TN) and Camp Boxwell on Old Hickory Lake (near Nashville).

Graduated in Aug 1968 with M.S., Agronomy, Auburn University as research assistant on a TVA grant and wrote a thesis on nitrogen loss from soils in AL. Entered active duty with US Army on 16 Sep 1968 based at Ft. Belvoir, VA in Engineer Officer Basic Course (EOBC). Assigned as Special Assistant to the Kansas City District Engineer, Corps of Engineers (Dec 1968-Aug 1969). Wrote 130-page report on 3-states (MO, KS and NE) contract with federal government for established vegetation (grass and forestry) in public use areas of 9 reservoirs on Missouri River. Received a “Letter of Commendation” on project and promoted to 1LT. Married Linda Sue Johnson of Cookeville on 14 Jun 1969 and lived temporarily in North Kansas City, MO.

Received orders to Vietnam and served as 2nd Civil Affairs Platoon Cmdr. in Kien Hoa Province in Mekong Delta from 4 Sep 1969-6 Sep 1970. Led a team of 3-5 enlisted men who approved, inspected and conducted 64 civic action projects in all 9 districts (i.e. footbridge installation, pagoda repair, school construction, orphanage assistance, soccer field renovation w/Seabees, medcaps, etc.). Served as Education, Agriculture, Engineer and Youth & Sports Advisor. Attached to MACV Advisory Team 88, IV Corps, based at Ben Tre where we lived, ate and developed comradeships. Received Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal and National Defense Service Medal plus Meritorious Unit Citation and Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/palm Unit Citation. Enjoyed R & R w/wife in Honolulu, Hawaii in April 1970.

Employed in Dec 1970 by Alabama Farm Bureau Federation as Director, Cotton & Soybean Divisions located in Montgomery. Successfully created a cotton diapause program in central Alabama, a statewide soybean check-off program and seed testing lab funding at Auburn University. Assisted cotton and soybean growers with state & federal FB policy issues, represented farmers at national association conferences and often conducted educational programs, surveys and meetings. Stephen was born on 1 Aug 1971 and Sean was born on 28 May 1974, both at Baptist Hospital in Montgomery. Bought our first house on 1 Dec 1971 w/VA loan.

Employed in July 1974 by Gold Kist Inc. as Field Supervisor for 9 grain elevators in South Carolina and relocated family to Irmo near Columbia. Later grew to 12 facilities and expanded storage at several. Handled corn, wheat and soybeans with truck and rail shipments to processors, feed mills and export during the period of farmers “planting fencerow to fencerow.” Met regularly w/local cooperative advisory boards. Board Member of VA/Carolinas Feed & Grain Association and attended annual conferences.

Promoted in April 1980 to corporate headquarters in Atlanta as Member Relations Manager of the large agricultural cooperative. Served 8 years in that role and then 10 years as Director of Public Affairs (Total: 24.5 years). Served on several advisory boards, state cooperative councils and national associations (i.e. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, AIC/NICE, GA Agribusiness Council (President) and Universities of GA, Auburn and Clemson. Recruited members for Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and worked Ag exhibit at 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Selected for 3-year term by Sunbelt Expo as judge for “Farmer of the Year” program. Served as a consultant on cooperative projects in Brazil (1996) and Bulgaria (1998).

Recruited in Oct 1998 by Southern States Cooperative to Richmond, VA as Director of Public Affairs reporting eventually directly to CEO Wayne Boutwell. Goal was successfully met to amend the law in VA regarding retention of unclaimed patronage refunds by agricultural cooperatives including SSC that saved about $10 million in first year. Also lobbied in D.C. on Farm Bill, fertilizer issues and business matters plus similar proposals in several states. Speaker at some state cooperative conferences, college students and many local cooperative boards in their business sessions and/or annual meetings. Resigned in Oct 2002 and accepted early retirement. Moved back to our original home in Cookeville, TN.

Began work on 4 Nov 2004 as Executive Director, Tennessee FFA Foundation located in School of Agriculture on campus of TTU in Cookeville. Grew endowment from $250,000 to $4.5 million in 8.5 years with the nonprofit organization. Received Lifetime Achievement Award by Tennessee FFA Association (2013) and Honorary American Farmer Degree (2014). Retired on 1 Jul 2013 and experienced volunteer assignments.

Served as VFW Post 6296 Commander since 2007-present, TTU Agricultural Foundation BD (2004-2012), Upper Cumberland Veterans Cemetery BD, Putnam County Veterans Organization BD and Mended Hearts (Treasurer and AED Coordinator). Volunteer for Vets to Vets under CARIS HealthCare Hospice Program (about 20 vets in 10 years). Lifetime member of VFW and Vietnam Veterans of America. Served as Grand Marshall of Veterans Day Parade on 12 Nov 2018. Guest speaker at Cookeville H.S. Veterans Day Program on 9 Nov 2021. Selected to join 30 vets to make the Middle TN Honor Flight to D.C. on 27 Sep 2023. We are active members of Willow Avenue Church of Christ.