Joseph Henry Hoffman
September 3, 1926 ~ February 16, 2004
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Joseph Henry Hoffman, 77, of Asheville, died Monday, February 16, 2004, at Givens Estates, Asheville. He was a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. His sense of humor made life joyful. Many of us were blessed to walk part of life’s journey with Joe. His strong Christian faith was shared with everyone he met.
Mr. Hoffman was born in Lincoln County and was a son of the late William F. and Inez Crowell Hoffman. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Laura H. Smith. He was class president of the 1943 class of Lincolnton High School and maintained his relationship with his fellow graduates through the years by actively participating in reunions.
Joe was a member of Abernethy United Methodist Church where he held many positions of leadership. He was especially active in the Forum Sunday School Class. He served on the Board of Directors for Caring for Children and was a Loaned Executive for BASF with the United Way.
He served as a radio operator with the US Navy during WW II and the Korean Conflict and then attended and graduated from NC State University in 1949. He moved to Asheville in 1956, and retired in 1991 from BASF where he worked as a textile chemist.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Alice Braxton Hoffman; one daughter Laurie Little and her husband Tommy of Charlotte; two sons, the Rev. Joseph H. Hoffman, Jr. of Asheville and Walter F. Hoffman and his wife Ann of Lexington, NC; five grandchildren, T.J. Little, Greg Little, Will Little, Alex Little and Emma Claire Hoffman; one sister Mary H. Heavner and her husband Carroll of Lincolnton; one brother William F. Hoffman and his wife Phyllis of Lincolnton; and two brothers-in-law, James O. Smith of Gastonia and Lawrence Braxton of Waynesville.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Abernethy United Methodist Church, Asheville with the Rev. Dr. Henry R. “Rusty” Inman and the Rev. Dr. John Christy officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue, Asheville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806, or to the Memory Assessment and Elderly Resource Center, 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
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Jeanne and I are so sad to hear of Joe’s passing. He and I go back a long way to many years at Enka and shared a lot of good times. We both are Wolfpackers and always had that in common. We share your sorrow and remember how loyal he was to his church and his love for his family. He will be missed by all who knew him. A wonderful man and friend.
Jack and Jeanne
Mrs. Hoffman and Family,
I offer my condolencies to you in the passing of your loved one Joe.
I worked at American Enka/BASF during the same period as Joe, but I worked in the plant, while Joe worked ‘on the hill’ (R & D and Marketing Tech.), so I really didn’t know him or work with him.
But in 1989, Joe and I served together as BASF’s loaned employees to United Way. We quickly became good and lasting friends.
Joe represented BASF and United Way superbly during his ‘term’ there. He always serviced his accounts expertly and with his great personality in full bloom. He raised much money for us, and made many lasting friends for United Way.
Following our term there, I was close to Joe until his retirement, then we lost track of each other.
I’ll always remember his caring, loving, helpful ways, and I’ll remember him always.
God’s best to you all.
Sincerely,
Dick Allen
Dear Alice, Laurie, Joey & Wally,
I just happen to see this now and am SO shocked to read of Joe’s death. So many wonderful memories of him & all of you, from my childhood days. He will be GREATLY missed! Hold onto all your wonderful memories in these sad times.
God Bless you all!
Vicki
We will all miss this wonderful person who contributed so much to his community, state and nation. Joe answered his country’s call and served with honor. He loved his church and his forum sunday school class. We are all better people thanks to Joe. We will miss him terribly but know that he is in a better place.
I was so sorry to hear about Joe today. We will miss him greatly but he will be a MIGHTY ANGEL in God’s Kingdom.
Please know we are thinking of you.Laurie, you certainly look like your Dad. The grandchildren must have some wonderful memories – hang on to all those memories, they’ll get you through the sad times. Our love, TEd & Elaine Kiker
Walter,
Our thoughts and prayers are sent out to you and your family by your extended family here at the Bank. Take care. Casey
I wanted to take a moment to let you know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers. Joe was truly a gentleman in every sense of the word, and I will miss him greatly.
I worked with Joseph at BASF and just wanted you to know my prayers are with you. Margaret Biddix
Alice, We were so sorry to read of Joe’s death. We have many fond memories of our days as your neighbor and our thoughts and prayers will be with you and the family during this sad time. Joe was a fine father, friend and Christian and will be missed by many.
Alice,
We were so sorry to hear of Joe Henry’s death.I have been keeping up his condition since he couldn’t
make the LHS reunion last year. He
was a true friend for 76 years.
Bob
Dear Alice, Laurie, Joey, and Wally,
We want you to know we thought highly of Joe. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time. He will be missed by so many people. Mary Lynn and Carroll
Dearest Alice,
Alice and I so admired and enjoyed Joe and our association at Enka and BASF. He was truly a wonderful friend and I enjoyed ‘picking his brain’ on many occasions. I remember Joe walking me into the dirt around the track in Asheboro and we rooting him on at the race in Maggie Valley when we lived there. Alice — what can I say — Joe was a true friend and the fortunes of commerce have driven us into separate paths – he and his skills and professionalism will linger long – I will pass the word to his colleagues in the profession.
with Warm regards,
Will and Alice Caylor
Dear Alice, Both Mary Lynn and Glenda let us know about Joe. We
are so sorry, but want you to know
our memories will live on. Tim said
earlier that he was at your house with Joe in a Lay Witness Mission
when he first realized absolutely
the presence of the Lord. He’s
always loved Joe for that day.
You and your family will be in our
prayers.
Dear Alice, Laurie, Joe and Walter:
Mom called me Tuesday to let me know about Joe. I was so saddended by the news. I have the best memories of childhood on Zephyr Dr. and our wonderful camping at Hungry Mother. I’ve known him my whole life and he was like a second dad to me. I will miss him dearly. His smile always brightened my day and I hope you’ll have peace to know that he’s smiling on us now sitting next to our heavenly Father. You are all be my prayers and thoughts. I wish I could be there to give you all a big hug. May God bless each of you as we’ve been blessed to have known Joe.
I hope to see you soon.
Blessings,
Kathy
Dear Alice, Laurie, Joe and Walter:
Mom called me Tuesday to let me know about Joe. I was so saddended by the news. I have the best memories of childhood on Zephyr Dr. and our wonderful camping at Hungry Mother. I’ve known him my whole life and he was like a second dad to me. I will miss him dearly. His smile always brightened my day and I hope you’ll have peace to know that he’s smiling on us now sitting next to our heavenly Father. You are all be my prayers and thoughts. I wish I could be there to give you all a big hug. May God bless each of you as we’ve been blessed to have known Joe.
I hope to see you soon.
Blessings,
Kathy
Walter:
I am very sorry to hear of your loss.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Greg Hedrick