James “Jim” Brian Hoffman, 63, of White Cloud, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, August 30, 2024. He was born March 21, 1961, in Hart, the son of Merlin and Connie (Flory) Payne.

At the age of 18, Jim enlisted in the Army while finishing his education and graduating from Montague High School. After school he served two tours in Korea, a tour in Panama, Honduras, and Puerto Rico.  While deployed in Korea, Jim saved a fellow soldier’s son from drowning in the monsoon filled Han River during his time in Korea. In Panama, he became a certified Scuba Master that flourished a passion for diving. He took those skills forward using them to dive and explore sunken ships, returning treasures to his family they still hold dear.

During Jim’s service he was exposed to long term diesel fuel fumes that lead to cancer in his lungs that eventually spread to his spine. He served his country for 13 years, rising in rank to Staff Sergeant, before leaving the military. When he left the service Jim worked as a delivery driver for Fed Ex in Cadillac and Grand Rapids for 18 years, it was during that time that Jim suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax that forced him into early retirement.

On September 14, 2019. Jim married the former Brenda Highland Klahr. He gained 2 more daughters, Elyssa and Kristian when he and Brenda married.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He and his wife Brenda spent the last few years in Grand Isle, LA as full time RV snowbirds. Jim loved the adventures he found out in the Gulf of Mexico, from reeling in sharks, sting rays, and even manta rays. During his ailing health Jim missed his adventures in the South and all it had to offer.

Jim is survived by: his wife, Brenda; children, Amy Hoffman, Stacey (Anthony) Smith, Elyssa (Brandon) Knapp, Kristian Klahr and Marcus Harris; mother, Connie (Flory) Hoffman; brother, Bob (Emily) Hoffman; sisters, Shelley (Don) Shain, Carmen (Tom) Vanderkoooi, and Jeannie (Brian) Johnson; godson, Joseph Oros; grandchildren, Mason, Graycie, Adain, Tristan, Seleah, Azriel, Isaiah, Noah, Nehemiah, Stormi, Teyah, Amara and Lillian; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim was proceeded in death by: his wife, Jackie; stepson, Rodney; fathers, Garland Hoffman and Merlin Payne; nephew, Ryan Hoffman; grandparents, Lyman and Myrtle Flory, Estella Schneider and Charles Payne.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan 49455. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home, interment following services with military honors will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, and a luncheon will immediately follow at the Shelby Congregation United Church of Christ, 51 E. Third Street, Shelby, MI 49455.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.