JERRY JAMES LOFTIN

Jerry James Loftin of Arlington, Texas passed away at his home on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at age 81. He was born in Fort Worth, and grew up in Meadowbrook near Handley Elementary and his church St. Luke’s Episcopal. His father, Mark Loftin, was a candy salesman from Arkansas, and his mother, Sylvia, was a colorful figure known for hard work and homemade chicken fried steak. Jerry graduated from Polytechnic High School, where he served as a cheerleader, before following his older brother Mark Jr. to Texas Christian University. 

At TCU, Jerry befriended many and became a TCU yell leader, and joined Sigma Chi fraternity—who gave their cheerleader the nick name, “Leaper Loftin.” Jerry joked that he scored multiple touchdowns in the Cotton Bowl (but did it so in warm ups before games). To pay for his education, Jerry spent summers in California working for his uncle Joe Snyder at “Mr. & Mrs. T’s”, who paid him to drive a beer truck. One summer in LA, Jerry heard on the radio about a riot breaking out in Watts and stupidly drove the beer truck to see what a riot was. Luckily, he survived this (no word on the beverages).

After graduating from TCU with a business degree, he attended law school at the University of Texas. In addition to school and working in the capital, Jerry helped create a bar called, “The One Knight,” a precursor to current day 6th Street, that featured a coffin for a door. He joked that he went broke selling beer to their friends and nearly failed law school as a result.

Jerry met and married Patricia Mims of Laredo at UT. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, and served many places, most notably Fort Bliss, El Paso, where he learned that his Jewish friends had Saturdays off, while the base was shut down on Sundays. Jerry “converted” and became Jewish (his dog tags say, “Hebrew”) to get a full weekends. Pat would occasionally drive over, and to have longer weekends with her, he and his “Hebrew” converted friends would explain to his Sergeant that they had to go to temple for an assortment of reasons (including made up holidays) on Fridays too. Jerry eventually was stationed back in Fort Worth, where he would drill (and joked more), “to guard elephants at the zoo.”

Jerry almost took a job in advertising in New York. But before they went, Patricia suggested he try practicing law first, so he did so, and became an Assistant District Attorney in Tarrant County. The rest frankly is history.

In short time he became a chief felony prosecutor. Soon after he joined a local civil firm, but then partnered with a legendary attorney and World War II hero Ronald Altman. Jerry began to tear up courtrooms across North Texas. Most famously, he successfully represented Pricilla Davis in her divorce against billionaire Cullen Davis (who was accused of murder and attempts to kill her and others). 

Jerry’s stature grew. Probably no one was more surprised and excited by his success than him, and it never went to his head. He was one of the most generous people imaginable. Routinely he gave young assistant DA’s their first offices, but also did so many random things such as purchasing cars for children whose parents unexpectedly passed away (and leaving notes from their mom or dad on the card with the keys). On one occasion, he saw several homeless people 

walking in a storm. He picked them up, and instead of driving them to a shelter as they asked, he first took them to Walmart to deck them out in better clothes and a new TV for the shelter. 

Jerry had four children: Trey, Trent, Kristen, and Justin. All four have law degrees, and Trent is now Judge Loftin in Tarrant County. Trent had the honor of practicing law with Jerry, but Trey also had the privilege of trying cases with him. In one—in Denton—they defended a man charged with Aggravated Assault. The prosecutor bragged he had never lost a case—Jerry smiled, leaned in close, and said, “Well Get Ready.” Jerry won again. 

There probably are not enough pages to tell the stories of his trials nor the victories he earned for his clients (from felonies to large divorce cases, including the nation’s first same sex divorce involving celebrities, that led to all news trucks parked at his home and office for weeks and weeks. He became a media star of sort for court commentary, and had his own radio show with Dwain Dent, and later a TV show too.

Jerry was not only known for trial, but also for fun. He loved to throw big parties and go to restaurants everywhere. Between his presence in the Bar Association (he helped create the Silver Gavel Award, and the Black Bar Association, among other contributions) and his gift of hospitality, his good friend Dee Kelley asked Jerry to help host the 5th Circuit Federal Bar conference here. In doing so, Jerry—a lifetime Democrat—personally hosted conservative Justices Anton Scalia and Clarence Thomas, and took them on a tour of food and fun. They ate their way through the barbecue and steak houses in Fort Worth to the justices’ delight before he dressed them in cowboy garb (dusters and hats) from Luskey’s Western Ware.

Almost 20 years ago, cancer took Patricia from him, and for a little while life was less fun. Jerry worked hard and still won a lot of trials. After a season or so, he re-met (so to speak) the sister of his childhood friend, and for many years has enjoyed a terrific friendship with Jan Moncrief. The family is grateful for her fun and friendship with Jerry.

Jerry is survived by Trey & Jennifer Loftin of Aledo (and their children Jurrien, Meagan, Patrice, and Darren), Judge Trent & Dr. Laura Loftin of Fort Worth (and their children James, Patricia “Pippa”, and Raleigh), Kristen Loftin Miner & Dr. Scott Miner of Denver (and their children Annalee, Cabot, and Eloise), and Justin & Evin Sisemore of Fort Worth (and their children Saylor Grace, Sutton, and Sevy), as well as a large family of Mims, many “best friends,” his helper Juan, and his latest dog—Princess. 

Obviously, too many stories can be told, but in the end, it came down to simple things. He loved life, his many dogs (his request is to be buried with his pet’s collars from youth to today), his friends, children and grandchildren, and definitely food and fun. Even in his last days his favorite thing was to sneak off to lunch or dinner and indulge in big meals. He was larger than life and will be missed forever. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you go to dinner with many family and friends and share great stories, or contribute to TCU in a manner you enjoy (Jerry was to no surprise, a master of TCU tailgating. . .).