[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING JAMES J. ``JIM'' LOFTUS, JR.

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                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 27, 2020

  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and 
honor the life of James J. ``Jim'' Loftus, Jr., a member of the 
``Greatest Generation'', who recently passed away in Pleasanton.
  Jim was born in 1924 in San Francisco. He attended high school in 
Alameda, graduating from St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in 1942. 
Like so many he answered the call to service following the attack on 
our country, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 
December of that year.
  During World War II he worked as a mechanic. His service took him to 
action in the New Hebrides Islands, Solomon Islands, Kwajalein, and 
Peleliu, prior to his discharge in October 1945.
  In 1947, Jim married the love of his life, Mary, joined the USMC 
Reserve Signal Battalion in Alameda, got a job as a lineman at the PAC 
Bell phone company, and settled in San Francisco. He had two young 
children before his country called on him once more.
  His unit was called up in July 1950, and he was sent to fight in 
Korea. There he worked as a field radio operator and was attached to 
combat units going from Inchon to Chosin, which truly put him in harm's 
way.
  Following his discharge Jim returned to California and his job at PAC 
Bell. He eventually rose to the level of supervisor before retiring 
after 35 years with the company.
  Jim was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the 
Catholic parishes in which he lived. He also very much enjoyed 
gardening and traveling, especially to see members of his family.
  Jim and Mary had six children. He is preceded in death by his wife, 
Mary, and son James J. Lotus III. He is survived by five daughters--
Jeanne O'Brien, Teresa Loftus, Rosemary Back, Eileen Manger, and Julie 
Trudell, as well as 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
  Jim constantly gave of himself--to his friends, his family, and his 
country. He will be deeply missed, and my deepest condolences go out to 
his friends and loved ones.

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