Thomas Lofton

Thomas Clay (Sonny) Lofton Jr., age 81, passed away at his home in Brandon on Dec. 23, 2020. Lofton was born Aug. 31, 1939, in Greenwood. He spent his childhood in Brookhaven where he graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1957 and was Senior Class President and Mr. BHS. Then he attended Bullis School in Maryland and served two and a half years as a Naval Academy midshipman before graduating from LSU in 1962. He remained an avid Tiger fan the rest of his life. He spent most of his working career with various power line/construction companies. An accomplished pilot, he explored other interests, such as roofing, antique furniture sales, boating, and fishing.

Lofton loved people and never met a stranger, always showing an interest in the story of everyone he met. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, “I hope my life’s struggles and successes help others to hold and keep faith, be forgiving and love all people.”

He was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Lisa Diane Lofton and Heather Kees Lofton; his sister Barbara Sproles; and his parents Elsie and Tom Lofton. He is survived by his wife, Jane Dendy, his son Lee Lofton, his grandson Creed Lofton, Lee’s mother, Frances Lofton and his step-children Hope Farley and Levi Dendy. Other survivors include nieces Mandy Dann, Amy Smith, Cheryl Sproles and Sarah Foster, and nephews John Sproles and Tommy Sproles, as well as many great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 2162 Old Highway 84 W. in Brookhaven, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. at the church. Brookhaven Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Flowers may be sent to Brookhaven Funeral Home or memorials may be made to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund.