Edwin Warren Loomis, general manager of the Goodland Cooperative Equity Exchange, died Sunday, October 16, 1983, in the afternoon, of an apparent heart attack, at the Northwest Kansas Regional Medical Center in Goodland. Loomis, 61, was working in the yard at his home when he became ill and was taken to the hospital by his wife.
The son of Reed and Lela (Rogers) Loomis, he was born September 4, 1922, at Hayes Center, Nebraska. He grew up on a farm near Hayes Center, where he attended both grade and high school. Upon completion of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942 and served in Italy as a radar specialist. While attending an Air Force school in Milford, Nebraska, he met Neva Mintling. They were united in marriage February 7, 1943. Following his honorable discharge for the service in 1945, the couple returned Hayes Center, where Mr. Loomis worked as a bookkeeper for the Hayes Center Co-Op. He was named manager in 1947. The couple moved to Bird City in 1955, where he managed the town’s Co-Op for thirteen years. In 1968, the couple moved to Quinter for three years. They also lived in Houston, Texas for two years and Sabetha, Kansas for three years. In 1975, Loomis accepted the manager position in the Goodland Equity Cooperative Exchange, because he wanted to be closer to his family and planned to retire in Goodland. He was a member of Goodland Elks Lodge 1528; VFW Post 1133 in Goodland; American Legion in Bird City; the Kansas Co-Op Council, which he served as its president and a past director; the Kansas Grain Commission, serving as chairman; Goodland Rotary Club; Chamber of Commerce transportation committee and political action committee; FarMarCo Grain advisory committee; City of Goodland Director of the Municipal Energy Board; and many others. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother. Survivors include his wife Neva, of their home in Goodland; a son Roger Loomis of Denver, Colorado; a daughter Linda Rogers of St. Francis, Kansas; two grandchildren; three brothers Reed Loomis of Hayes Center, Nebraska; Donald Loomis of Denver, Colorado; and Jack Loomis of Hayes Center, Nebraska. Services were held Wednesday, October 19, 1983, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Goodland, with Reverend Nathan Morgan and Reverend Loren Chapman officiating. Burial followed in the Goodland Cemetery, with graveside rites by VFW 1133 of Goodland and the American Legion of Bird City. Friends shared their respects at Koons Chapel in Goodland on Tuesday, from noon until 9 p.m. and before services Wednesday. |