Nathaniel Barton Loomis

Nathaniel Barton Loomis, of Covington, LA, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014. He was born on September 10, 1946 in Manhattan, NY to Betty Blackman Barton and William Farnsworth Loomis. The beloved husband of Gina McIntyre Loomis, he is survived by his two sons, Landon (Holly) and Dodd (Alix) Loomis, his three step-sons Michael, Barton and Andrew Stone, his three grandchildren Soren, Oscar and Nathaniel Loomis and siblings Jackie Quillen and Billy Loomis. He was pre-deceased by his parents and sisters, Debbie Loomis and Joan Hastings. Bart attended Phillips Academy Andover and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving as Intelligence Officer and Captain of a Marine battalion in Vietnam, where he ran the Kit Carson counter-insurgency program and was awarded the Navy Commendation with Combat V. In 1974, Bart moved to New Orleans and became a leader in the local business community. He ran J.H. Menge & Co. as President for 32 years, co-founded the City Business and Gambit newspapers, served as Director and President of the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance, and was as an active member of the Greater New Orleans Executives Association for many years. Beyond business, Bart was an active supporter of local philanthropic and cultural causes. He chaired Operation Mainstream, a literacy initiative, and the Volunteers of America National Housing program. An accomplished Baritone, Bart sang with the New Orleans Symphony Chorus, New Orleans Opera Chorus and the Christ Episcopal Church Choir. He was a member of the Krewes of Proteus and Rex and a member of the Boston Club. Bart was also an avid green-thumb, ultimately achieving the distinction of "Master Gardener". Martial Arts were a lifelong passion. Bart ultimately earned black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Kobudo weapons. The United States Karate Alliance (USKA) certified Bart as a Judge and Referee at both the National and World Championship levels, and was recognized by the USKA with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service which will take place at 11:00 am on Monday November 3, 2014, at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 South New Hampshire St., Covington, LA 70433. There will be a reception in Holzhalb Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ Episcopal Church in Bart's memory. Please feel free to sign the guestbook and share a memory on the tribute wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.