Jim Hoffman
July 14, 1948 ~ July 10, 2023
James "Jim" Hoffman, 74, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023, at Avera St. Mary's Hospital, Pierre, surrounded by his family.
Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 31, 2023, at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium in Highmore with Rev. Shari Schwedhelm officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.
James (Jim) Arnold Hoffman was born July 14, 1948, in Pierre, SD, to Arnold and Clara Mae (Carroll) Hoffman. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith. Jim attended country school in his younger years and graduated from Highmore High School in 1968. After graduation, he attended Lake Area Tech in Watertown, graduating with a degree in auto mechanics. He married Dianne Goehring in June of 1969 and to this union three children were born: Leanne, Ken, and John.
Jim worked for several area businesses over the years, eventually purchasing a gas station from Floyd Campbell. During his years operating the station, Jim provided many services including: an auto shop, used car sales, a parts store, minnow sales, and fur buying. During this time is also when the “Railroad Bar” (the station) came to be and is still in operation.
After several years of operating the station, Jim decided to put to work his skills he learned in his younger years working for Westcott Construction. Jim started Hoffman Trenching, which he operated for 24 years. Jim took great pride in his business, was a very hard worker, and was always going a hundred miles an hour. The grass did not have time to grow under his feet.
Jim married Ruby Cudmore in Highmore on December 24, 1996. With this union, he acquired two more children: Kristi and Jeremy. They enjoyed traveling together to see family and friends.
Jim was a member of the Highmore Fire Department for 30 years. During his time with the department, he was both a fireman and EMT. Jim found his time with the department to be very rewarding.
Jim enjoyed working on cars. He built many demolition derby cars over the years, some for himself and some with his boys. Jim’s pride and joy was the 1928 Model T Roadster that he built from an original body that he dug up at his parent’s farm out behind the chicken coop.
Jim was a kindhearted person, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, whether he knew them or not. Jim always had a smile on his face and a good joke or wise crack for anyone in his company. You could usually find Jim with a pack of Oreo’s nearby.
After a truck/train accident in 2015, Jim retired and sold Hoffman Trenching to his son, Ken. During retirement, Jim could be seen traveling around Hyde County in his maroon suburban, just checking on what everyone was up to.
Jim is survived by his wife, Ruby of Highmore; children: Leanne of Highmore, Ken (Amy) Hoffman of Highmore and John (Kim) Hoffman of Pierre; grandchildren: Samantha (Glenn) Aymar, Tate Hoffman, Joe and Morgan Hoffman; step-grandchildren: Carson and Brynn Stoeser; step-children: Kristi (Darrel) Hinkle and Jeremy (Sarah) Van Tassel; step-grandchildren: Brittany (Jeremiah) Price, Shelby, Justin, and Conner “Leroy” Hinkle, and Ethan Van Tassel; great grandchild, Silas Price; siblings: Morris (Debb) Hoffman, Connie (Diane) Hoffman and Myra (Tim) Brothers; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; infant siblings: Ronnie and David; aunts; uncles; and cousins.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Jim's arrangements.
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Leanne, Ken and John – I'm so very sorry for your loss! I remember Jim was always doing his best to impart his wisdom on us boys. If we had only known the amount of heck he probably raised, maybe we would have listened a bit closer. Who am I kidding, we were as stubborn as him. I remember the time we got stuck over by the cemetery. John and I took off walking across the field headed for "home". Sure enough, a blizzard kicked up about halfway there. We were dressed like high school kids. When we walked in the door mostly froze, Jim chewed our ass real good. Then when Ken got home, he got chewed out just for good measure. It didn't matter if I was blood or not, he treated me like I was one of his own. Rest in peace Jim, I'll do my best to steer them boys out of trouble.
Sorry for your loss.
Our Deepest Sympathy
Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
To Jim’s family , you have my deepest sympathy! I grew up with Jim, his siblings and my folks spent many an hour with his folks. I always went by Jim’s shop when I came home because I knew there would be a ‘welcome home’ greeting. You will be missed my friend, fly high! RIP.
My deepest sympathy to the Hoffman Family. There are never any words that can be said to help ease your loss, but your memories will help you through. I never saw Jim without a smile or a happy come back. He would always help anyone even if he personally didn’t know them. He is another wonderful man from that generation that grew up with respect, loyalty, love of God and Country and pride of family and community! He is no longer in pain and tired. I’m sure he was greeted with smiles and hugs from all his family and friends when he arrived.
So sorry to hear about Jim. What a fun classmate. Prayers for the families.
Sorry to hear of Jim death, you all will be in my thought and prayer.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Jim was a wonderful person thst always had a smile on his face
To the family of Jim Hoffman. Jim was honest & hard working-a great guy. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family. Sincerely, the Carl Durfee family
Jim was a great neighbor, friend, and classmate! His smile was contagious! He will certainly be missed! Cherish all the great memories! Thoughts and prayers for comfort during this sad time!