FORT WAYNE – James R. Loomis, a former chairman and CEO of Magnavox Electronic Systems Co., died Friday at the age of 85.

Loomis spent 30 years with the defense contractor that was based in Fort Wayne. He started with the firm in 1962 as controller of its research lab in Torrance, Calif., and took charge of developing an electronic facsimile program.

He climbed through the ranks of Magnavox, becoming CEO in 1990 and retiring from the post in 1992.

At the time, Magnavox was producing airborne and on-the-ground communications systems and guidance systems, submarine detection devices and radar interference and detection systems for the military.

During Loomis’ tenure as CEO, Magnavox employed thousands of workers in northeast Indiana. In 1997, the company was bought by Raytheon.

Loomis was born and raised in Lansing, Mich. He graduated from Michigan State College, now Michigan State University, and did a stint as a minor-league baseball player. He was in the Navy during World War II and saw action in the Pacific.

Before joining Magnavox, Loomis spent 11 years with the Department of the Navy and was directly involved with Defense Department procurement programs at the headquarters and field levels.

Loomis served on the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority Board and on a state task force that reviewed the Marble Hill nuclear power plant.

As an accomplished Hoosier, he was honored with a Sagamore of the Wabash award.

He enjoyed golf and belonged to country clubs in Fort Wayne, Bermuda Dunes, Calif., and Bethesda, Md.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley A. Loomis of Fort Wayne, two daughters, four sons, five stepdaughters and a stepson. He had 24 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine, who died in 1982.

A burial Mass is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Arcola. A visitation at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

aingersoll@jg.net