Rev. Tommy Loving

Tommy Lynn Loving, 80, of Republic, Missouri passed from this life on June 9, 2014. Rev. Loving served as a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for 48 years. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Harold Ned and Virginia Loving, his brother, Harold Lee, his sisters Eva Jo and Carol and his niece, Virginia Renee Fritz. He is survived by his wife, Delores of the home, two sons, Gary and wife Becky of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Paul and wife Lucy of Owasso, Oklahoma, and daughter Becky Fenton and husband David of Republic. He is also survived by grandchildren, Patrick and wife Jamie, Eric, Adam, Rylee, and Reece Loving and Christyn and Lauryn Fenton, and great grandchildren, Brooklyn and Bailey Loving.
Rev. Loving was born in Wister, Oklahoma on October 21, 1933 to Harold Ned and Virginia Lee Loving. He spent his early life in southeastern Oklahoma with his parents and siblings. He married Delores Ann Peppers on November 10, 1951 in McAlester, Oklahoma and served in the U. S. Army in the early 1950s. After his discharge, he worked as a civilian employee of the U. S. Air Force before being called to the ministry in 1959. He began his pastoral service in Durant, Mississippi. He and Delores served God and the Church faithfully and cheerfully for over 48 years in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. He retired after having served the last years of his pastorate at the First Church of the Nazarene in Republic.
Tommy viewed life as an adventure to be shared with God, family and friends. He seldom met a stranger and positively impacted the lives of hundreds of people he served in his ministry. He enjoyed piloting small aircraft, travel, laughing and celebrating with his congregation, friends and family. He conducted numerous mission trips abroad spreading the Gospel and assisting those less fortunate than him.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 12, 2014 at One Life Church of the Nazarene, formerly Springfield First Church of the Nazarene, 3245 S. Kansas Ave, Springfield, Missouri. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Republic, Missouri under the care of Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. immediately prior to funeral services at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Isabel’s House Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks, 2750 Bennett St., Springfield, Missouri 65802.