NOVEMBER 15, 1936 – MAY 24, 2024
James Clois Lofton, age 87, of Fort Collins, Colorado has gone to his heavenly home. He passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024.
Affectionately known as “Jim”, he was born in La Porte, Indiana on November 15, 1936. He was one of four sons welcomed by Margaret Clara (Holcomb) and Luther Franklin Lofton. Margaret and Luther were the kindest, sweetest parents. They raised their children in a family-centered home, never missing a Sunday supper together. The boys were well loved and well behaved.
Jim graduated high school in La Porte in 1956 and immediately enlisted in the US Navy with his friends. After his term of military service, he worked as a police officer for the La Porte City Police Department for 20 years. It was common during that time for the local police and fire fighters to hold additional part time jobs with the city. While working for the department of public transportation, he met Dorothy “Dot” Weidmann. Dot refused a second date with Jim unless he agreed to fix the air conditioning in his car. They had a brief courtship, five weeks to be exact, and were married in Lakeside, Michigan on August 22nd, 1974.
Before his life with Dot, Jim was married to Sarah Shaw and together they raised five children. Jim was a wonderful father, passing on to his children the values of family that his parents instilled in him. He was later blessed with grand and great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.
Jim and Dot led a simple and quiet life, which suited them well. In their younger years, they enjoyed outdoor activities, such as hiking and snowshoeing, and later traveling around the United States together. They had fallen in love with Colorado while visiting the kids and grandkids, and finally relocated in the summer of 1984. Jim went to work for the Larimer County Sheriff's Department where he was the first deputy assigned to the courthouse on January 2, 1985. He served as Deputy Sheriff for 15 years. Jim and Dot were blessed with a quiet retirement where they were able to enjoy each other’s company and would have celebrated 50 years together this summer.
Jim was a naturally good person. He was a kind and simple man. He was just likeable and had a way about it. He never tried to put himself off as anything he wasn’t. He didn’t try to fill his life with hobbies and wasn’t interested in keeping busy all the time. He didn’t need that. He was a man of faith and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He truly was a good man with a good heart. He was loved by so many and he will be missed.
Jim leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Dorothy “Dot” Lofton; his sons, Michael Thomas Lofton, Scott James Lofton (Brenda), and Curtis Lofton (Kathi); step-daughters, Kathy Sholders (Cliff), Patricia Mielbeck (Kevin), and Susanne Halter; son-in-law, Michael McKee; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other extended family, as well as many lifelong friends.
He is greeted in heaven by his son, Gregory Alan Lofton and his daughter, Julie McKee; his twin brother, John “Jack” Lofton, older brother, Earl Lofton, and younger brother, Randall Lofton; and by his parents, Luther and Margaret Lofton.
Jim will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Fort Collins. Memories of Jim and kind words for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.
