Our Staff

Jim Loomis was a native born Floridian raised in Winter Garden, Florida. Jim attended Lakeview High School, where he met his high school sweetheart Betty Beasley and lifelong best friend. They were married for fifty years and had two sons, Bob and Steven, with four grandsons, Jimmy, Mark, Stevie and Trevor.

Jim was always the king of young man that loved adventure and it showed with the life he led. As a young man, his passion was fishing and like all the things he did, it was all in or nothing. Jim was one of the founders of the West Orange Rod Benders, which was group of avid fishermen. Jim not only fished locally, he also fished in many professional tournaments, where he always seemed to finish in the top tier. He was so good that it was a running joke; you didn’t want to be in the boat with him because he wouldn’t leave any fish for the next person in the boat to catch.

Jim also truly loved his family and fell in love with Apopka. He believed that Apopka was a part of his family and proved that with his commitment to promoting and giving countless hours to all those community organizations such a Rotary, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Sertoma Service to Mankind, and the Masonic Lodge #36. One of Jim’s proudest moments was watching his two sons follow in his footsteps in becoming Master Masons and Shriners at the Bahia Shrine.

Jim loved adventure; not only fishing but he also had a love for flying. In 2000, Jim Billy Long and Frank Scott entered into a venture opening Orlando North Airpark. They all realized that a local airport would and could be a catalyst for economic growth here in Central Florida and would benefit Apopka. That has always been one of his concerns, making Apopka a great place to live and work. Jim loved to fly, and a little known fact is that most of his life, he never had a pilot’s license. He did finally get his experiential sport pilot’s license in 2011. Jim was a very headstrong person. If he wanted to do something, nothing was going to stop him, even flying, whether he had a license or not.

Growing up in Winter Garden, Ocoee and Apopka was always an exciting time. Jim would recall events going on month long trips herding cattle with his dad, Francis, from South Florida to Savannah, Georgia. In those days, they would use the east coast beaches as a way of herding the cattle back and forth. Jim Loomis’s business values are stated in a slogan that the family uses to this day; “The Loomis Family provides each Family with the caring atmosphere and Respect that Every Family Deserves.”

Jim Loomis was a man that truly loved his family and community, and always reminded us that Life is an Adventure.

Betty, has been a strong supporter of Jim and his success in his life long goals. Betty chose to be a homemaker, until their 2 sons – James R. Loomis, Jr. (Bob) and Steven Paul Loomis, were of school age. Betty, attended Valencia Community College and Nova University. Working in the Education and accounting field has been an asset to helping the family in their Family Owned and Operated Business. Betty, serves her community as a member of the Apopka Woman’s Club.

In 1967, James R. Loomis, Jr., also known as Bob, was born in Orlando, FL.  He attended Spring Lake Elementary School and graduated from West Orange High School in 1986.  After graduation, Bob continued his education at Valencia Community college and later received a Class A Journeyman Electrician License.  After working in this field for a couple of years, Bob decided to return to the business of funeral service, and attended Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. Bob graduated from Gupton in 1995, where he was a member of the Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity. Bob has two sons, James R. Loomis, III, and Mark Bradley Loomis. Bob is involved with numerous community organizations including Rotary Club of Apopka, Apopka Chamber of Commerce, and Apopka Elks Lodge #2422.

Steven Paul Loomis was born in 1971 in Apopka, FL.  He attended Spring Lake Elementary School and graduated from West Orange High School in 1989.  Steven married Paulette Smith from Apopka, FL in 1994. They have two sons, Steven Paul Loomis, Jr., and Trevor Owen Loomis. Steven attended Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, graduating with Honors in 1994. He was also a member of Pi Sigma Eta Fraternity. Steven is active in the community with membership in Rotary Club of Apopka, Apopka Chamber of Commerce, and Apopka Elks Lodge #2422.

William Gray became part of the Loomis Family in June 1999 while he was still in High School after graduating from Apopka in 2001 he pursued his career in the funeral Service graduating from Gupton Jones College of funeral service in 2004 and passed his state board in February of 2006. William enjoys helping other people and is a very caring and compassionate person who loves to spend his time away from work in the outdoors he is also a member of the Apopka Elks Lodge #2422 and a member of the loyal Order of the Moose Orlando Lodge # 766

Steven Loomis Jr., 4th generation of the Loomis family, began working for his family shortly after graduating from Apopka High School in 2014. He is currently attending Seminole State College pursuing a business degree. He enjoys serving his community, and helping families in their time of need. On his off-time Steven loves riding dirt bikes, standup jet skis and being outdoors.

Edith Suarez joined Loomis Funeral Home in August 2019.  She has over 13 years of customer service experience.  She experienced a life changing family accident that made her appreciate life and make every day count.  Her father fell from 20 feet high, was airlifted to the hospital, and while waiting for any news from outside the trauma room she realized how short life is. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and family.  Her favorite hobbies are working out and exploring nature.

Ayanna grew up in Apopka, Florida, and graduated from Apopka in 2019. She participated in the Apopka High School Medical Magnet and came to Loomis during clinicals to learn more about the funeral business. She became a part of Loomis Funeral Home in September of 2020. Ayanna knew she wanted to be a part of Loomis after she lost her best friend in 2015; seeing the way that William and the staff took care of her family made her want to do the same thing and bring peace to someone in their time of need. Outside of the funeral home, Ayanna enjoys going to Disney and spending time with her daughter and family.

Lisa grew up in Northwest Indiana, moved to Florida in 2007, and currently resides in Mount Dora.  She joined Loomis Funeral Home in September 2024.  Lisa is a graduate of St. Petersburg College and has built a career focused on providing care and support to those in need.  Outside of her professional life, Lisa likes to crochet, listen to audiobooks and podcasts, and spending time with her husband Jeremy and dog Dexter.  Her passion for both work and personal interests reflect her caring nature and commitment to lifelong learning.

Nora Raygoza grew up in Mount Dora, joined Loomis Funeral Home in January 2023. She has 18 years of experience in customer service, she is passionate about providing care and support to families during their most difficult times.

She is a proud mother of two wonderful daughters who inspire her every day. On her free time, she enjoys a good novel, beach days and theme parks.

Gianlucas got his introduction into Funeral Services at a young age; at 17 years old, and not even graduating high school yet, he started his journey working at Loomis Funeral Home after his sister, a Family Counselor with us then, brought him into the Loomis Funeral Home family.  In a very short time Gianlucas, or “Johnny” as we call him, showed a natural affinity to working in the funeral services field.  He started by working our funeral services and with ease was able to easily work and transition into transporting decedents and being there for families in their times of need.  Now as a 21-year-old man, he has become seasoned working in all the different departments within the Funeral Home.  He is in charge of ensuring all of our cremations are handled in the most dignified manner, and that all the urns are of top quality once received, and ready for every family we care for.  Being with us from such a young age, Loomis Funeral Home has been able to mold him, and instill in him our deep values for the bereaved families and decedents we serve, by putting respect and dignity first, which has made Loomis Funeral Home as successful as we are today.  He’s a great addition to our team, and truly part of the backbone of what makes us, a family owned, and family centered funeral home, the establishment it is today.