James "Jim" Loomer

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James “Jim” Loomer, 90, of Mitchell, SD, died Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at his home under hospice care in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday, March 14, at United Methodist Church in Alexandria. Burial will be at Green Hill Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation will be from 1-3:00 PM Sunday, March 13, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with Masonic Rites at 2:30 PM. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

James Loomer was born June 17, 1931, in Mitchell, SD, to Gilbert and Marion (Montgomery) Loomer.  Jim married Marlys (Haney) in Watertown, SD, on June 22, 1958. They were blessed to enjoy 54 years of marriage. To this union two boys were born: Todd (Karin) Loomer of Alexandria, SD, and Kent (Becci) Loomer of Harrodsburg, KY.

Jim graduated from Alexandria High School in 1949 and received a Bachelor of Arts from South Dakota State College in Brookings in 1953. He entered the U.S. Army and served as a lieutenant in the infantry until 1955 when he was honorably discharged. He joined the South Dakota National Guard in 1956 and served until 1962. He served as the first commander of the 147th Infantry Company in Salem, SD, which later became an artillery unit.

Jim owned and operated Montgomery’s Furniture in Mitchell and Alexandria until his death. Jim and his brother, George, had stores over the years in Howard, SD; Madison, SD; Arlington, SD; and Sioux Falls, SD. In 1888, Jim’s grandfather, G.H. Montgomery, started Montgomery’s Furniture in Alexandria. Jim enjoyed pointing out that Montgomery’s Furniture predated South Dakota’s statehood. Jim also owned Montgomery’s Funeral Home, which was active in Alexandria until 1983.

Jim was active in the United Methodist Church in Alexandria, and also served on the Dakotas United Methodist Conference Board for ten years. He also served on the Dakota Wesleyan University board of trustees for ten years, the Mitchell Methodist Hospital board for six years, and on the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital board for four years. He was a member of American Legion Post 41 for many years. Jim joined the Masonic Temple in 1953 and was an active Shriner for 69 years, and he also belonged to the Scottish Rite. In 2019, Jim was named the Corn Palace Shrine Club “Honorary Circus Chairman” in recognition of his many years of service to the circus.

Jim enjoyed many activities, including sports and hunting pheasant, geese, and deer.  He not only enjoyed golfing until his 90th year, but also went skydiving for the first time at the age of 88.  However, his real love was flying.  He was an active pilot for 47 years and had an instrument flight certificate in addition to his private pilot license.  He owned his own plane, which he used for both business and pleasure flights.

Jim and Marlys enjoyed traveling both in the United States and also internationally. They were able to enjoy many cruises together. After Marlys was called “Home”, Jim traveled with his good friend Joe Vorderbruggen. Jim and Joe visited many interesting places, including Ireland, Germany, Rome, the Holy Land, Africa, London, Paris, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Jim and Joe both looked forward to their annual golfing trip to Arizona every February.

Another great love of both Jim and Marlys was enjoying time at their cabin in Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills. In their 41 years of enjoying the cabin, they both said it was “like a little piece of Heaven.”  They also enjoyed spending time with their four grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his sons, Todd (Karin) Loomer of Alexandria, SD, and Kent (Becci) Loomer of Harrodsburg, KY, and grandchildren, Knacey (Bogdan) Ghita, Joanah Loomer, Amelia Loomer, and Melina Loomer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, George.

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