Loring T Janes

JANES, Loring T
Comstock Gave up the ghost Monday, February 22. Loring was born in Chicago in 1942 and raised in Detroit, son of artist and harpist Ruth Loring Janes and bass trombone player Elmer Janes. Loring sang and played guitar, bass, and autoharp during the 1960s with the folk-pop group Friend and Lover. He also played with the Lone Star Statesman and with The World's Worst Flatpickers Association, and briefly with the Dixie Flyers, but most of his work was as a solo performer. He referred to himself as an urban revivalist, and he was considered an accomplished finger picker in the style of Merle Travis and Reverend Gary Davis; always able to get the 'Blind Boy Fuller' sound out of his guitar. Loring was known as a musician who "learned from the old guys." Loring was preceded in death by his beloved wife Suzanne Mosher Janes of 26 years. Survived by daughter Megan Janes-Smith, grandson Geoffrey Justin Janes, great-granddaughter Ivy Rayne Janes, brother Chris Janes, sister-in-law Wendy, and nephew Craig, of Farmington Hills. Loring is survived also by his lady friend and traveling companion of the last twelve years, Susanna Campbell of Comstock. He was loved by and will be missed by many, including Susanna's children George, Sheila, Thomas, Bonnie Jo and Michael Campbell and their spouses Darcy Campbell, Matt Schwartz, and Christopher Magson and Susanna's grandchildren Kellee, Krystal, Kayla, Matthew, and Kennedy Campbell. Loring was a member of the Kalamazoo Rod and Gun Club and the National Rifle Association, and was formerly a Scout Master for the Boy Scout troop 1673. He was a founding member of the Kalamazoo Folklife Organization and he continued to work as a concert sound engineer. He worked as a printer, an auto mechanic and for a time as auto shop instructor at Comstock High School. He was a collector of guns, guitars, books, and tools. His friends and family knew him as a storyteller, a teacher, and a proofreader. When things went wrong, he blamed "the alignment of the moons of Jupiter." Cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends will be held Sunday from 2 to 5pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Comstock Chapel, 6121 King Highway. A musical celebration will be planned for summer; contact family and friends for more information. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Kalamazoo's Loaves and Fishes. www.langelands.com 269-343-1508