Jason Zenis Loving

Jason Loving, Battle Creek Central teacher and football coach died November 25th, 2017 at the age of 92.

Jason was born February 8th, 1925, to Hilda and Albert Loving in Auckland, New Zealand. He grew up in Lamoni, Iowa. The summers after his sophomore and junior years he hitchhiked to Utah and Oregon and worked in packing plants. In 1943 he graduated from Lamoni High School where he starred in sports. He loved football and excelled at both offense and defense. Jason also played high school basketball.

Jason joined the United States Marine Corps on July 5th 1943. He participated in action against the enemy at Bougainville, Guam, BSI and the Marianas. Every officer in his Marine Regiment was killed. He was promoted to Corporal and received a Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. He had vivid memories of his time in the Marine Corps, and often said that nations should send their old men to war instead of their youth.

Loving attended Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) where he starred on the football team as a defensive tackle. He was selected "All-Conference Tackle in 1946, 1947 and 1948. He was 2nd team All-American and named "Outstanding Player" in 1948 by the North Central Intercollegiate Conference Football Coaches.

Loving taught and served as Head Football Coach at three high schools in northwest Iowa. He married Marilynn June DeBoer on August 9th 1950. He received his Master's degree from South Dakota University. Jason took a coaching position at Battle Creek Central in 1956. He taught Government, Economics, and History and coached at Central until 1971.

He accepted the Head football coach position at Mona Shores in Muskegon and coached there for many years. He retired in 1988. After retiring Jason and Marilynn moved back to Battle Creek to be closer to family and friends. They travelled to Scandinavia, Australia, Europe, Panama, China, Ireland, Alaska, and the Maritime Provinces.

Jason was devoted to his family. He spent hours with his seven grandchildren and they adored him. He passed on the significance of family and the importance of hard work. Jason was fiercely competitive and had a great sense of humor. He was an ardent champion of the Civil Rights Movement. A product of the Great Depression, Jason was always looking for work to bring in extra money. He was a successful investor. He had great compassion for the poor and unfortunate. He worked for Habitat for Humanity for more than 10 years, and was crushed when he had to quit because, as he put it, he was in their way.

He is survived by his wife Marilynn and daughters Linda (Paul Janiak) Loving-Janiak of Ft. Worth, TX, Jane (Paul) Hassig of Woodland Hills, CA, Emily (Matt) Buikema of Battle Creek, his sister Blanche Charpenel of Austin, TX, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Memorial services will be officiated by Rev. Patricia Weatherwax at First Presbyterian Church 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

In lieu of flowers or donations, send written remembrances to the family c/o:
Marilynn Loving
120 Brighton Park
Battle Creek, Michigan 49015
Or marilynnloving@sbcglobal.net

Personal messages for the family may also be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.