Tom C. Loomis, Jr., died peacefully on Friday, August 25, at his favorite place on land—looking over the waters of beautiful Lake Margarethe. His other favorite place was in the sky, piloting fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Born in Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1944, he spent his elementary school years in New Mexico before moving to Lansing, Michigan. Hardworking from a young age, he held many jobs over the years, including tow truck driver, factory worker, teacher at Otto Middle School in Lansing, survival flight pilot, and LTC in his 34 years of service in the Michigan National Guard. It was his love of flying, teaching, and fixing things that carried him through the years. He was always looking for an excuse to take to the skies, always happy to help a friend repair a car or replace a light fixture, and always happy to babysit his grandchildren, whom he loved deeply. He belonged to the Quiet Birdmen Lansing Hanger, the Experimental Aviation Association Houghton Lake, the Timbers Flying Club in West Branch, and the American Legion in Grayling. Tom was also a Michigan State Spartan fan.
His parents, Tom and Rita Loomis, and siblings Michael Loomis (Faye) and Rita Jay Holtslander (Craig) predeceased him.
He is survived by his wife Andrea; children, Jonathon Kurtz (Gretchen), Chris Loomis (Adriana), Kathryn Loomis (Jeff Irwin), and Mitchell Freeman; and grandchildren Jonathan Kurtz, Taylor Kurtz, Cameron Kurtz, Chance Sims, Madelyn Loomis, Sylvia Irwin, Mackinac Irwin, and Auberon Freeman; his brother Richard Loomis (Patty); his sister Margaret Hodge; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home between 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with Celebration of Tom’s Life beginning at 1:00 pm. Condolences may be sent to www.sorensonlockwood.com
Arrangements by Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.
