James Michael "Jim" Hoffmann

James (Jim) Michael Hoffmann passed away unexpectedly on December 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV. Jim was born in Pueblo, Colorado on August 25, 1942, where he spent most of his life prior to moving to Las Vegas in 2015. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Joseph ‘Tony’ Hoffmann and Florence Hoffmann, his younger brother Charles ‘Chuck’ ‘Charlie’ Hoffmann, and his father- and mother-in-law, George and Lorraine Komaroski. He is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Georgia Hoffmann; son, Eric (Judy) Hoffmann, and grandson, Emerson Hoffmann; his sister, Elizabeth ‘Libby’ (Wes) Bell; brothers- and sisters-in-law Mike (Michelle) Komaroski and John (Pam) Komaroski; nieces Carrie-Bell Montoya, Kristin Hoffmann, and Amy and Abby Komaroski; nephews Brian (Kerri) Bell, Devin (Whitney) Komaroski, Orion (Leah), Gunnar (Cat), and Koa (Dani) Hoffmann, as well as several great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. He was known by many names: Jim, James Michael, Mike, ‘Whitey’ (college nickname) and ‘Pops’ (nickname given to him by his Army buddies), but his most cherished names were ‘Dad’, ‘Paka’ (given to him by his grandson, Emerson), and ‘Uncle’. To him, family was the most important thing and he cherished the time spent together. Jim graduated from Pueblo Catholic High School in 1960, Pueblo Junior College (now PCC) and Southern Colorado State College (now CSU-P) before serving in Korea as a member of the United States Army where he earned several awards for marksmanship. He served his country honorably and was a proud veteran. Jim retired from the Pueblo City County Health Department after more than 21 years as a Health Protection Officer inspecting, licensing, and educating various food service establishments such as restaurants, bars, grocery stores, schools, and food vendors at special events like the State Fair and the Chili and Frijoles Festival. Prior to working at the Health Department, he spent 13 years with Pueblo County Department of Social Services. Although he enjoyed his career, he always said he ‘worked to live’ and had numerous interests outside of the workplace. As a child, he traveled from one end of the US to the other with his family, visiting relatives and seeing the sights. That started his lifelong love of travel, especially to locations with a beautiful beach and warm water. He loved long walks on the beach, snorkeling, or spending countless hours searching for turtles swimming by in the water! He especially loved Hawaii and Mexico (with our Mexico travel buddies!), but wouldn’t turn down any beach vacation! Jim was a voracious reader and read National Geographic magazines from cover to cover for nearly 60 years! Ask him about any subject in one of the issues and he’d go down to the basement, find the issue that had that information and share it with you! He loved Louis L’Amour, Clive Cussler, and James Patterson novels and was always on the lookout for the latest release. During his college years, ‘Whitey’ spent many hours displaying his incredible ability as an extremely competitive pool player. Jim was also passionate about golf and you couldn’t even calculate the number of hours he spent on a golf course! He loved golfing with family and friends, and his greatest achievement came when he got a Hole-in-One at Hollydot West Course on September 13, 2007 while playing with Eric. To him, that was the best course, the best round, and with his best buddy! He was so happy that Eric was the one to share this experience with him. Jim was an avid Harley Davidson rider and enjoyed many rides on his favorite route to Beulah and along the mountain roads to either Westcliff or Colorado City. When Jim was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and given a bleak prognosis, he and Georgia made the decision to move to Las Vegas so that he could spend a few months with his new grandson. What he hoped would be his ability to see Emerson’s first Christmas and first Birthday turned into FIVE Christmases and birthdays thanks to the treatment he received with the new immunotherapy drugs. Every day he thanked God for the gift of those extra years with Emerson and considered this extra time with Eric and his family as the greatest blessing he could have received. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our Lady of the Meadows Scholarship Fund or St. Martin’s WellPet Clinic/Amos’ Pet Pantry (in care of Dr. Patti Canchola) in Jim’s name. At his request, services will be private. “Words” I’m writing down some words here that I never thought I’d say I guess because I never thought would ever come the day That I would get a new name, one I never thought I’d hear A name so unexpected after all these many years. When we first got the joyful news that there would be a baby The first thoughts were “a pretty girl”, but then again, “just maybe” A strong, rambunctious little boy, all energy and action And then you have another thought; the really right reaction. You think it really doesn’t matter, as long as they’re okay We’ll love them just as much, I’m sure, each and every day. And then we learned it was a boy and that changed the whole game ‘Cause now it wasn’t just a guess…he even had a name! And any man will tell you there are some words in his life That have such special meaning, the first being “she’s my wife” And those who are real lucky, the word that makes them glad Comes from a happy little face who grins and says, “Hi, Dad”! I’ve had these words in my life but there still remains just one I just can’t wait for “Grandpa” from my grandson, Emerson. J.M. Hoffmann 4/26/2015 On Eric’s birth announcement: God gave us to each other And each and every day We live our lives together In a very special way. God gave us many treasures But when all is said and done We now have His most precious gift God’s given us our son. J.M. Hoffmann September, 1981 The poem he wrote for his obituary: For lots of years I wrote my poems For everyone to see But now the time has come, I guess To write one just for me. It’s been a long and winding road But if I could arrange it No matter all the ups and down I’d never want to change it. I’ve traveled all around the world And oh, the things I’ve seen The good, the bad, the best, the worst And all things in between. I’ve lived my life on my terms Sometimes good and sometimes bad But any problems I’ve endured Can’t beat the fun I’ve had! And though God owed me nothing A great gift He did send He gave me Georgia for my own My wife and my best friend. And then He gave us Eric The best son a dad could get I’ve been given all life’s treasures With no reason for regret. Just when I thought my life was full Thought I’d ‘hit a homerun’ I was blessed with my greatest joy My grandson, Emerson. Now my days on Earth are finished And it’s time for me to go But what God has in store for me I really do not know. So from this life I go now But I leave without despair ‘Cause though I don’t know where I’ll be It’s five O’Clock somewhere! Adios, amigos!

James Michael "Jim" Hoffmann

August 25, 1942 - December 22, 2020