LOFTIN, JAMES OTIS (1877-1955). James Otis Loftin, college president, son of Sam R. and Lila (McLellan) Loftin, was born at Thornton, Texas, on July 19, 1877. He attended North Texas State Normal College (now the University of North Texas) from 1905 to 1907 and received his B.A. from Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Southwest Texas State University) in 1925 and his M.A. from Colorado State College in 1927. He held a series of teaching and administrative positions, principally in San Antonio, then served as president of Texas College of Arts and Industries (now Texas A&I University) in Kingsville from 1934 to 1941. He subsequently became president of San Antonio Junior College (now San Antonio College) and was largely responsible for the development of the college's educational program and physical plant. Loftin served as president of the Texas State Teachers Association^qv in 1933-34. He was married four times and had two children. He was killed in an automobile accident on December 31, 1955, and buried at Sunset Memorial Park in San Antonio.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: San Antonio Express, January 1, 1956. Who's Who in America, 1952-53.

James O. Wallace