Marshall Kennedy Loftin Jr.

Marshall Kennedy "Kent" Loftin, Jr.

March 10, 1981 - January 29, 2026

Kennedy Loftin - compassionate humanitarian, Houston nonprofit leader, fundraising visionary and LGBTQ+ activist - passed away on January 29, 2026 at the age of 44 from brain cancer. As a beloved son and brother, wildly adored uncle, cherished friend and colleague, Kennedy lived and worked tirelessly every day in service to others. He was "a splendid torch" who blazed through each day with loving kindness, effervescent joy, and enthusiasm to make this world a better place.

Kennedy left an indelible mark on the nonprofit world in Houston, expanding fundraising and developing new initiatives that impacted the lives of the city's most vulnerable.

As Chief Development Officer of The Montrose Center, Kennedy increased private philanthropy exponentially in his eight years in leadership, allowing the organization to serve more LGBTQ+ Houstonians, year after year. Loftin led the campaign to build the Law Harrington Senior Living Center, the nation's largest LGBTQ-affirming senior center that also houses African American seniors of the Third Ward. Loftin also established the LGBTQ+ Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund in 2017, the largest LGBTQ natural-disaster relief fund on record at the time. He spearheaded a partnership with Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation, which provided a grant to launch the Montrose Center's Youth Housing Diversion Program. Loftin's vision and mentorship also helped many smaller Houston nonprofits get their start through the Center's John Steven Kellett Nonprofit Incubator program.

Previously, Loftin served as the Chief Development Officer at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, where he grew their annual campaign and increased their donor base. He led the "Many Faiths Building Together" campaign that secured funding to build the Meals on Wheels building on Elgin Street and the Interfaith Conference Center on Main Street. Loftin began his career in nonprofit work as the Director of Special Events for Best Buddies International, and at the age of 27, he became the youngest Executive Director to lead a state office in Best Buddies' history, helming the Texas office.

He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Fundraising Executive 2020 (Greater Houston Chapter) and The Diana Foundation's Community Achievement Award, among others. Loftin served on the City of Houston Mayor's LGBT Advisory Board, the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, and founded the Texas Queer Collegiate Alliance.

Marshall Kennedy Loftin, Jr., was born on March 10, 1981 in the town of Crosby, into a multi-generational family of proud Texans. Called "Kent" by his family and friends, he was charismatic, imaginative, and high-spirited from the outset, swiftly making friends everywhere he went. Loftin learned about the dignity of hard work by spending his teenage summers in the searing Texas heat working on his grandfather's farm.

An exceptional leader from a young age, he served as President of Student Government in both middle school and high school, led the debate team to championships, was the head percussionist of the high school military marching band, and was named the Salutatorian of his graduating class of Crosby High School.

During his college years at the University of St. Thomas, he served as President of Student Government and graduated summa cum laude from the UST Honors Program in international studies with a focus on nonprofit development. Loftin is also a graduate of Rice University's Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives as well as Leadership Houston's Class of XXVII.

Loftin is survived by his parents Marshall and Janis Loftin, his twin sister Leah Loftin Halpern and husband Nathan, his sister Laci Loftin Nichols and husband Morris, and niece Lillian Halpern and nephews Sterling Halpern, Easton Nichols, and Wyatt Nichols.

Kennedy Loftin leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service and leadership with a life dedicated to helping others. His dedication to empowering Houston's LGBTQ community burns bright. He will be profoundly missed.

Donations can be made in Kennedy's memory to the two nonprofit organizations that were closest to his heart:

The Montrose Center, which serves Houston LGBTQ+ communities by offering mental and behavioral health counseling, wellness programs, youth and senior services, gender-affirming resources, community meeting space, and inclusive social and support groups.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-montrose-center/in-memory-of-kennedy-loftin

Interfaith Ministries Houston, which brings diverse faith communities together for dialogue, service, and collaboration, serving Houston through Meals on Wheels and Animeals, Refugee Services, Interfaith Relations, and Volunteer Houston.

http://givebutter.com/IMHouston