James Michael Hoffman

Jim Hoffman was born on November 4, 1947 in Seattle, WA to Mary and Willis Hoffman. The second of eleven children, Jim spent his childhood in Seattle attending St. Matthew and Bishop Blanchet schools. He spent his time helping raise his younger siblings, delivering newspapers, and playing football. One of his proudest moments this year (2019) was when his high school football team was recognized for having achieved an undefeated season and inducted into their hall of fame.

At age twenty, Jim enlisted into the United States Navy in 1968 during the Vietnam War to support his family. During his twenty-four year Naval career, he deployed on three ships (USS Ranger CVA 61, USS Orleck DD 886 and USS Dixon AS 37), completed eleven duty assignments, and met his wife, Carol, while students at the Navy Supply Corp School in Athens, Georgia. Having enlisted into the Navy as an E-1, he was selected for commission in 1980 as a Limited Duty Officer, and ultimately achieved the rank of O-4, Lieutenant Commander. Jim retired from the Navy to take care of his two younger children and support Carol’s Naval career; however, he continued to work on and off during his post-Navy career and recently celebrated twenty years as a Logistics Analyst for Serco International.

Jim and Carol were married on August 8, 1981. They raised four children (Ryan, Lisa, Loren and Michaelle) and enjoy seven grandchildren (Madison, Emily, Logan, Kyle, Jake, Caroline and Liara). Being a devout Roman Catholic, he was an Extraordinary Minister and actively engaged in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program (RCIA) by teaching and sponsoring Catechumens. Jim also became a Fourth Degree Knight as a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the Saint Olaf Catholic Church Chapter’s Finance Secretary for six years. Jim’s favorite hobbies were hiking, fishing, cooking, and shooting-the-breeze—he never met a stranger. He was gregarious, passionate, empathetic, and fiercely loyal. He put his whole soul into mastering the things he loved and sharing that knowledge with others. Fulfilling a long-term dream, with his family he celebrated his 72nd birthday in 2019 at his favorite place, HiHium Lake Fishing Resort in Canada.

On November 2, 2019, Jim was admitted into St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, WA after falling and hitting his head in the middle of the night. A CT scan showed a mass on his pancreas which was diagnosed two days later as metastatic pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, he was in and out of the hospital for the next thirty-two days until he passed. While Jim accepted the terminal diagnosis, he fought valiantly to have more time with loved ones while cherishing every moment he was given. His family came together and stood by his side throughout this difficult journey. His parish priest, Father Lappe, was at his side several times praying over him and performing final sacraments. Prior to his death, Jim’s final wish to return home wearing his Smartwool socks and Chaco sandals was fulfilled. He spent his last 30 hours overlooking Port Orchard Bay facing the Cascade Mountain Range.

On December 4th, he passed peacefully surrounded by his wife and children.

There are two events, first is a viewing (details below), followed by a celebration of life mass and reception in late December or early January.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday December 7, 2019 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Cook Family Funeral Home 163 Wyatt Way NE Bainbridge Island, WA., 98110.