James P Loomis

James (Jim) P. Loomis, age 90, died on November 18 in the early morning hours at Wesley Glen Care Center. He was born June 2, 1934 in Canton, Ohio, the son of Eugene and Annabel Loomis. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering degree at which time he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He served on active duty in 1958 and 1959.

He retired from Battelle Memorial Institute in 1994 following 36 years of service, where he served as the focal point for Battelle's civil aviation research. During his career, he was responsible for research in all modes of transportation including air, highway, marine, rail and transit. At the time of his retirement, he was Vice President and General Manager of Battelle's Transportation Research Business.

James used his professional aviation experience to make a lasting impact on his hometown of Columbus. He was an Associated Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a Member and Chairman of the Airport & Aviation Commission of the City of Columbus. At the time of its creation in 1990, he was appointed a Director of the Columbus Airport Authority, serving as Vice Chairman for the first four years of the Authority's operation. Upon the regionalization of the Airport Authority in 2003, he was again appointed a Director.

He was a faithful member of North Broadway United Methodist Church for 60 years, where he served in many leadership roles. He oversaw the design and construction of the Chapel, and the renovation of the lower level of the church to create Anniversary Hall and Como Place. During this time he was also instrumental in the formation of the Clintonville Interfaith Counseling Center and Community Resources Center. Together with his wife Hallie, he was active in Marriage & Engaged Encounter United Methodist where their work touched many couples as Regional Coordinators in Central & Southeast Ohio, Ohio Lay Executive Couple and Ohio Team Coordinators. For a number of years he was also an Inpatient Volunteer with Ohio Health's Home Reach Hospice at the Kobacker House.

James cultivated a number of hobbies and passions throughout his life. He was an avid birdwatcher, a private pilot for many years, and a ham radio operator (call sign W8VQW), which allowed him to communicate with people all over the world. Before the advent of cell phones, he worked as a ham radio communicator along the course of the TOSRV bike race in Ohio, serving as a lifeline in case of emergency. He was also passionate about genealogy, ensuring that his family's legacy would live on for generations to come.

In his retirement, he and wife Hallie made priceless memories on their many travels and welcomed family and friends to their beloved lake house at Apple Valley. He was an active and devoted grandfather - his four grandkids enjoyed many formative summers boating, fishing, swimming, and stargazing together.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Shirley Ann Livingston, as well as his loving wife Hallie of 67 years. He is survived by daughters Leslie Ritter of Columbus, Laurie (Ed) Monnier of Wilmington, N.C., and grandchildren Lauren (Garrett) Parsons, Natalie Monnier, Kyrsten Stoll, and Alexander Monnier, as well as many other relatives and friends. A celebration of life will be on Friday, December 27th at 10:00 in the auditorium at Wesley Glen, 5155 N. High St. Columbus, 43214.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations could be made to North Broadway United Methodist Church and the Wesley Glen charitable fund, as well as Wesley Hospice. We are so grateful for the loving care he received from Wesley Glen staff, as well as the Wesley Hospice.