On March 2, 1935, in Jasper County, Texas, Earl Lenzy Loftin was born to Robert Burrel Loftin and Lottie Cauley Loftin. He was the tenth child born to this union, and although the baby of the family, he earned the nickname, "Big Earl," from family and friends.

Having been taught the value of education and hard work, he developed skills and learning that he not only used for himself but passed on to his children and any others whom he befriended. Earl had a heart to match his stature and a booming voice that was his trademark of communication.
He was a family man who loved to work the land as a farmer who also possessed a passion for sports.

He graduated from Call High School in 1953 and attended Texas Southern on an athletic scholarship before going into the army in 1957. After leaving the active military service for his country, in 1964 he married the love of his life, Deloris Breed. Then came the biggest job of his life: fatherhood.

First came Lisa and then Paula. His girls became the second biggest loves of his life, and he dedicated himself to teaching them and rearing them with the principles he himself had been taught.

To him, working on a job and being a provider was the ethical thing to do, and he spent an entire lifetime doing it. He worked and was a supervisor for Levingston Shipbuilding Company and Ashland Oil in Orange Texas until 1983 (when they closed) and was member of the Boilermaker Blacksmith union. He was later employed at Wooden Pallets in Silsbee from 1983 until 2005 when he retired.

Yet he understood that life is not just about working and sports or even family. He was also committed to the Lord. He grew up and "started his walk" at St. Paul CME in Call, Texas. He later identified and became a member of Caroline Temple CME in Kirbyville and served faithfully as chairman of the steward board as well as the board of trustees for the church until his health prohibited him.

Earl had a genuine love for people and the community. This was on display in his life in many ways, one of which was being a member of the Kirbyville Lions Club, serving in various capacities of leadership, including president.

He is already sorely missed by all who knew him, but his legacy, along with that of his lovely wife, Deloris, is permanently ingrained in the hearts of family, friends, and the communities he called "home."

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Deloris Breed Loftin; his parents; brothers, Manut Loftin and Elbert Enoch Loftin; and sisters, Zeola Thomas, Hattie Breed, Irene Mae Tyler, Olena Smith, Florence Hunt, Jacqueline Loftin, and Benina Ford.

Left to carry his memory and legacy are: his daughters, Lisa Loftin Garrett (Greg Sr.) of Hewitt, Texas and Paula Loftin of Tyler, Texas; granddaughter, Charisse Garrett of Waco, Texas; grandson, Gregory Garrett II (Ashley) of Hewitt, Texas; great-granddaughter, Aliyah; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved and who always showed that they "loved Uncle Earl back!"