He was born May 14, 1925 in Coalton, WV to Ray and Marie Sturm Loudin. He graduated from Coalton High School in May 1943 then was drafted into the U.S. Navy in July 1943. He was commissioned on the U.S.S. Hyde AAA173 serving in the Pacific Arena – Iwo Jima and Okinawa in WWII.
John was discharged from the Navy in April 1946 and joined the Army in July 1946 and was sent to the Panama Canal Zone. In April 1948, he was sent to Officer’s Candidate School and commissioned as a 2nd LT in October 1948. In August 1950, he was stationed in Korea and served with the 3rd Military Railroad as an Executive Officer.
In 1964, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Major and went to work for the General Adjustment Bureau in Tampa, FL, transferred to Macon, GA, and resided in Warner Robins GA. In 1979, he went to work for Crawford Company as a catastrophic adjuster and retired in May 1990.
After retirement, he and his wife Kit enjoyed traveling together. He was honored to participate in the 2nd Honor Flight from Mobile to Washington DC.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine (Kit) Hoch Loudin, along with his siblings Jim Loudin, Mary Lou Daniels, Bob Loudin, Jerry Loudin and Betty Kirkpatrick.
He is survived by his loving family and friends. Daughters: Barbara (Butch) Oliver, Theodore AL; Janice (Al) Stewart, Kathleen GA; and Karen (Rob) Hall Semmes, AL. Son: Jay Loudin, Warner Robins, GA. Brothers Bill (Nancy) Loudin, New Carlisle OH; Danny (Nancy) Loudin, Norton WV. Sisters: Margaret Ann Miller, High Point NC; Sara (Bob) Hinkle, Elkins WV; and Judy (Terry) Hedrick, Salem OH. Grandchildren: Beau (Meredith) Oliver, Arlington VA; Logan Donaldson, Myrtle Beach SC; Lindsay Donaldson, Myrtle Beach SC; Kyle (Raven) Boyd, Mobile AL; Kevin Boyd, Semmes AL; Taylor Loudin, Gray GA; Heath Loudin, Gray GA; Kayla Loudin, Warner Robins GA; and Brantley Stewart, Kathleen GA. Great Grandchildren: Kaiden Moore, Warner Robins GA; Anna Oliver, Arlington VA; and Grant Oliver, Arlington VA.
A committal service was held Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Alabama State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort AL.
The service was officiated by Reverend Michael O’Conner from Allen Memorial Home.
Pallbearers are: A.E. (Butch) Oliver; Al Stewart; Logan Donaldson; Kyle Boyd; Kevin Boyd; and Matthew Cepeda, M.D.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
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