James Samuel “Sam” Loftis, age 75, of Rock Creek, passed away on Friday, March 8th, 2024. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Walter and Myrtle Wilson Loftis. He was also preceded in death by an infant brother, Gregory Van Loftis; three brothers: Archie Loftis and his wife, Thelma, Jack Loftis and Donald Loftis; a sister and her husband, Lula Mae and Edd Robinson; and brother-in-law, Bill Crowder.
Sam was an avid outdoorsman with a love for hunting and fishing who knew the mountains of western North Carolina like the back of his hand. This lifelong passion led to him being a world-renowned taxidermist for more than 50 years, establishing Loftis Taxidermy Studio. People who knew him well will also remember his having the “gift of gab” and his storytelling.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Amanda Freeman and husband, Greg of Spruce Pine, and Sam Loftis and wife, Becky of Marion; two grandchildren: Dustin Boyd and wife, Mindy, and Austin Boyd and wife, Kacey; one great-grandchild, Persi; a sister, Lillie Crowder of Newdale; and two sisters-in-law, Sue Loftis of Seven Mile Ridge and Lois Loftis of Celo. Several nieces, nephews and cousins survive him as well.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 17th at Mountain View Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Inc., 5705 Grant Creek Road, Missoula, Montana 59808.
To send online condolences please visit: www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
