Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-life-panel.jpg

James Hoff

June 2, 1942 - April 22, 2014
Grand Rapids, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-01.jpg



Visitation

Friday, April 25, 2014
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, April 25, 2014
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, April 26, 2014
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Ronald McDonald House
1323 Cedar Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

The life of Jim Hoff was filled with the many things he loved and enjoyed. Family was by far his greatest joy, and although a stranger just once, after meeting Jim, you were always a friend. With quiet faith, Jim served others with a caring heart and his helping hand was there for anyone in need. Deeply, missed, Jim will be remembered fondly.

World War II cast a bleak shadow across the nation in 1942, but the spirit of America was forever strong. As young men were shipped overseas, those left behind were busy doing much for the war effort. Rationing took place from coast to coast, and women entered the workforce in droves. The entertainment industry honored these times with the hit, Yankee Doodle Dandy, while crooner Bing Crosby's, White Christmas continues to be a favorite. Yet on June 2, 1942, Francis M. and Dorothy H. (Scripsema) Hoff of Petoskey, Michigan found much to be thankful for with the birth of their baby boy, James Francis Hoff.

The third of eventually five children, Jim grew up alongside his siblings, Gary, Judy, Janet, and Sue in their family home at 825 Cogswell on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. A family of faith, they attended Fairview Reformed Church. Jim's father worked as a meat buyer for Spartan Stores, and his mother was a busy homemaker. Memorable times were shared as a family enjoying family cookouts, dinners, and enjoying the holidays together. Many memories were also made at his aunt and uncle's cottage in Saugatuck where they often visited during the warm months of summer.

Jim attended Fairview Elementary School and experienced boyhood adventures with neighborhood friends riding bicycles, swimming, and playing baseball. He went on to attend Union High School, but in June of 1959, at the age of 17, Jim felt the call to duty and wanted to join the Marines. Although his mother adamantly refused to sign for him, Jim simply replied, "Yes, you will". Jim served in San Diego, California, and the South Pacific. Jim would always maintain that joining the Marines was the best thing he ever did.

Following his honorable discharge from the service in April of 1963, Jim was married for a time. From this union, he became the proud father of two sons, Jim and Doug. When his sons were young, Jim was a respected mentor for all the young neighborhood kids. He also served as a coach on his son's football and softball teams. As a father, Jim was a staunch yet loving disciplinarian who loved and was very proud of his two sons. Although his marriage ended, he was forever grateful for the blessing of his boys.

Jim was a hard and dedicated worker in railroad transportation. Throughout the years he worked for Conrail, Norfolk and Western railways as a brakeman, conductor, and yardmaster. He put in long, tedious hours, and made many great friends throughout his career. But that was nothing new for Jim. With his great sense of humor and quick wit, he was well liked and once he made a friend, they were always his friend.

In the year 2000, Jim was introduced to Theresa Gorter by mutual friends, George and Herbie. Although Theresa's husband died in 1998, love was not lost for either of them. After dating for a short time, their relationship blossomed to include love. On March 2, 2001, they were joined in marriage at Plainfield United Methodist Church and enjoyed a wonderful honeymoon in Hawaii.

Jim and Theresa made a good home together. He enjoyed her children, and treated and loved all of the grandchildren just as his own. They enjoyed additional travels together to destinations such as Florida, Memphis, Tennessee, and did some camping, too. Jim didn't care much about cooking, but loved a good prime rib steak, ribs, pizza, and fish. When it came to dining out, Uccello's and Applebee's were his favorite places to go. He also enjoyed getting together daily with his group of friends, the "Fat Boy Club", at the Fat Boy Restaurant for coffee or lunch.

A big sports fan, Jim continued his love for baseball from his earlier years. He was an avid follower of the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. He also loved the game of golf. Over time, it is estimated that Jim played in excess of 50,000 holes. On occasion, Jim liked fishing for perch off the Grand Haven pier with cane poles, but he hated when it came time to clean the fish. Music was also something Jim appreciated. He liked music from the fifties and sixties, as well as Elvis, the sounds of CCR-Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bob Seger. In his quiet time, Jim enjoyed the works of such authors as John Grisham, James Patterson, Vince Flynn, and Michael Conley.

Whenever there was an opportunity to get together with family, Jim was all for it. In fact, he was the "sparkplug" which kept his siblings involved with one another. He enjoyed all the holidays and special occasions which brought everyone together.

Jim will be remembered for these things and so much more. He gave of his time and talents, which was evident whenever he served as a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a joy to be Jim's company with his lighthearted flair and kindness. Dearly missed, he will be remembered as a special man in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Mr. James F. Hoff lost his courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at the age of 71. Jim is survived by his wife, Theresa; his children, Jim Hoff, Doug Hoff; his stepchildren, Tracey Huff, Aaron and Rachel Gorter; grandchildren, Mitchell, Trevor, Emily, Erik, Nicholas, Kennedy, Keane, Mitchell; his brothers and sisters, Gary and Martha Hoff, Judy Haner, Janet Kalilikani, Susan Hoff.

A service to celebrate Jim's life will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes-Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. Relatives and friends may meet with his family on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. The family would like to thank the Lack’s Cancer Center and Hospice of Michigan for the care shown to Jim during his time of need. Contributions to Ronald McDonald House in Jim’s memory are appreciated. To read more about Jim's life, sign his online guest book and to share a favorite memory of him, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/99020/99020-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg