Darwin Dale Loomis

Dale Loomis, 80, died Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Windcrest Alzheimer's Care Center in Abilene. The son of Elizabeth (Watson) and Lester Weldon Loomis, Dale was born on September 2, 1932 in Woodward County, Oklahoma and graduated from high school in Gage, Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1974 when he retired with the rank of Tech Sgt. as a flight Engineer on C-130's. After retirement, he began a second career working from 1974 to 1995 for the City of Abilene as a mechanic for the Abilene Fire Department. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Potosi, Texas. Dale married Elizabeth Roxy Strickley on March 3, 1956 in Sacramento, California. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wesley Weldon Loomis. Survivors include his wife, Roxy Loomis of Abilene; three sons and their wives, Richard Eugene Loomis and Darlene, and Donald D. Loomis and Robbie all of Abilene, and Larry R. Loomis and Marion of Bedford, TX; two daughters, Renada Sabine Vera of St. Simons Island, Georgia and Shari L. Jay and husband Paul of Longview, TX; eighteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Dale is also survived by two brothers, Troy Ivan Loomis of New Braunfels, TX and Richard Lee Loomis of Woodward, OK; four sisters, Roma J. Kerr of Longdale, OK, LaDonna Reed and Willa Dean Jacoby both of Little Rock, AR and Evelyn Karl of Throckmorton, TX, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 27, at Grace Baptist Church, 1036 Todd Trail in Potosi, with Rev. Chuck Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers will be Chance Loomis, Brian Loomis, Don Loomis, Larry Loomis and Richard Loomis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Windcrest Alzheimer's Care Center, 6050 Hospital Drive, Abilene, TX 79606, or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605.