Bubba Eugene Loftin

Bubba Eugene Loftin, 69, of DeRidder, LA, passed from this life on Sunday, April 17, 2022.

Born 29 October 1952 in DeRidder, Louisiana to parents Pershing Loftin and Marlene Meadows, was Nathan Eugene Loftin. Named after his uncle Nathan, he soon became known as “Bubba” thanks to his brother Pershing “Bear” Loftin. This is the name he would be known by all his life.

8 years later another nickname joined the family as “Hern” John David was born. There were many stories of the adventures of these 3 brothers, which played out like a Jerry Clower story.

Bubba was a tuba player under the direction of Grady Kyle in the DeRidder High School marching band. He received a band scholarship to McNeese State University where he became a member of Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Band.

During his sophomore year at McNeese, he met the love of his life in Sandra “Noonce Honey” Jennings. They married 11 August 1973, and remained so until his passing 48.5years later. They had 3 children: Lori “Lossi” married to Jeremy “Jeddy” Fountain, Nathan “Man Cub” Loftin, and Melissa Kate “Toot Toot” Loftin.

Bubba worked hard for his family. First planting trees, then working construction for Eugene Buckholtz where he worked his way up to foreman. Then taking over the company that became Southwest Construction and Pavers, he provided maintenance contract work for Boise Cascade for 32 years.

After retiring from the construction business, Bubba drove 10 years for Beauregard Parish school system.

Throughout all of his life he was a rancher. Starting from a single cow he had as a child, he eventually grew into multiple herds and even became owner of a livestock auction barn in DeRidder, LA. Bubba also had a passion for mules, and later, Belgian draft horses. From this, under the tutelage of Chris Schwark, he took a team of mares and grew them into an 8-up hitch of geldings, which he showed all over the Midwest and Canada. This was one of his most proud accomplishments “for an old plough boy to win against the big boys”.

Later in life, another great accomplishment was taking flying lessons and earning his pilot's license. He would enjoy taking his plane out for a day flight and having his grandson Jeremy Aaron “Cubby” Fountain join him.

But his greatest accomplishment of all was in accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and being a Sunday School Teacher and a Deacon at Merryville First Baptist Church where he served for 25+ years.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of forty-eight years, Sandra Loftin of DeRidder, LA; son, Nathan Eugene Loftin, II of Pompano, FL; daughter, Lori Fountain and Jeremy of DeRidder, LA; grandson, Jeremy Aaron Fountain, II; brother, Pershing Louis “Bear” Loftin, II and Hazel of DeRidder, LA; uncle, Curtis Meadows; In-laws, Becky Loftin of DeRidder, LA, Steve and Tina Jennings of Vinton, LA, Bob and Gayle Shelton of Vancouver, WA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kate “Katy” Loftin; parents, Pershing and Marlene Loftin; brother, John David Loftin.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Merryville First Baptist Church in Merryville, LA. Visitation will continue Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 12:00 PM until the time of the Funeral service  at 2:00 PM also at Merryville First Baptist Church. Brother Wayne Squyres will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Nehemiah Loftin, Brian Phelps, Bryan Jennings, Damon Shelton, Randy “Hartz” Jopling, James Loftin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wade Jopling and the carriage crew, Nathan Loftin, Jeffery Meadows, Tim Thibodeaux, Greg Thibodeaux, Kenny Leger, Rick Sweat, Sara Meadows, Robert Riley. Burial will follow at Old Cypress Cemetery in Rosepine, LA.

Services will be available for viewing via Facebook Live on Myers Colonial Funeral Home Facebook page.