TSgt. Richard Talmadge Loften (Ret.)

Richard Talmadge Loften went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 25, 2016 at the age of 83 after a courageous battle with cancer. His service will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 11:00am at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home in Shreveport with Dr. Mike Anderson of Haynes Avenue Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Centuries Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 from 5:00-7:00pm.

Richard was born on January 2, 1933 in Ocala, Florida to Alfred and Mary Leona Loften. Before graduating high school in 1952, Richard left to join the U.S. Air Force where he had a distinguished twenty-four year career that included service in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It was while stationed in Okinawa, Japan that Richard met his wife of forty-three years, Katsuko Higa. After retiring and settling in Shreveport, Richard worked as an electrician at LSU Medical Center where he served as Electric Shop Foreman before retiring in 1999.

Richard was the embodiment of a servant of the Lord. As a member of Haynes Avenue Baptist Church, he served faithfully for forty years in nearly every capacity from Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, Brotherhood Director, and everything in between. He was a mentor, teacher, encourager, and often did many jobs behind the scenes, from maintenance to ministering, never seeking nor wanting any recognition. His only desire was to serve Christ.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Mary Leona Loften, his sisters, Rumele Melton, Estelle Prescher, Mary St. Claire and brother, Russell Loften. He is survived by his wife, Katsuko Higa Loften; sisters, Obera Brown of Montgomery, Alabama and Gertrude Stout of Rocklin, California; brother, Raymond Loften and wife Glenda of West Palm Beach, Florida; daughters, Elaine and husband Chris Steely of Cochran, GA; Terri Loften of Cochran, GA; Katherene and husband Morris Brossette of Waskom, TX; and Karen and husband Kerby Woodard of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren, Jordan, Emily, and Faith Steely and Reagan, Aden, and Megan Woodard, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Willis Knighton Cancer Center and the Staff of Amedisys Hospice for their care during this time. Memorials can be made in Richard’s memory to Haynes Avenue Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.