Allen Hoffman, Jr.
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Allen Hoffman Jr., 89, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away at his home on May 25, 2012. Allen was born on a farm west of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma on March 18, 1923. He was the son of Allen and Rosa Mae (Holloway) Hoffman.
He graduated from Coffeyville High school and attended Coffeyville Jr. College where he lettered playing football in 1941. During World War II, Allen served in the United States Marine Corps as a first lieutenant. He was a pilot and flew torpedo bombers in the Pacific Theater. He married Elaine Marie George on August 17, 1943 in Pensacola, Florida, immediately after graduation from the U.S.M.C flight school.
After the war ended he graduated from Kansas State University where he majored in chemical engineering. He then went to work at the CO-OP petroleum refinery plant in Coffeyville. He was soon transferred to the company’s refinery in Phillipsburg, Kansas and then was promoted to the main office in Kansas City, MO. Farmland Industries later installed him as plant manager of a new anhydrous ammonia fertilizer plant in Hastings, NE in 1961. He stayed there until he moved to Lawrence, KS in 1968 as manager of CFCA fertilizer plant, retiring as vice president of Farmland Industries in 1985.
In retirement he enjoyed playing golf, was an avid K-State fan, and loved to feed the wildlife around his home. He most enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. His council and caring manner will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Surviving to celebrate his life are his three children and their spouses: Alana Biggs and her husband Craig of Wimberley, TX; David Hoffman and his wife Connie of Pryor, OK; Rick Hoffman and his wife Linda of Topeka, KS; his beloved grandchildren Jim, Kerry, Jennifer, Julie, Zane, Kelli, and Sean; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Allen Sr. and Rosa Mae; his loving wife, Elaine; brothers Clyde, Homer and Harold; and his sister Pearl.
Memorial contributions may be made in Allen’s name to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
My condolences to the family of Allen.He was a kind and very accomplished gentleman. I had the privlege to see him, accompanied by you gracious mother/grandmother Elaine, for a number of years. Allen and Elaine were such a wonderful and loving couple- it warmed my heart to see them together, and I know that he was lost without her.God bless them both.
For Uncle Allen:
A million times we’ve needed you
A million times we’ve cried
If love alone could have saved you
You’d still be at our side
In life we loved you dearly
In death we love you still
For in our hearts you have a place
That no one else can fill
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God took you home.
My heart felt compassion to all my family members that lost an incredible man, father, grandfather, uncle, and great- uncle. Uncle Allen and I had such a powerful connection when I saw him at my Grandma, Rosa Pearl”s funeral last year. We swapped stories about our lives and promised each other we would stay in touch and here it is less than a year has gone by, liiving life got in the way and I regret to say I didn’t get a chance to take him up on his offer to come and see my Uncle Allen. I wish I could have come up to see you and visit even if for a little while. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family. May God Bless you and I look forward to seeing you in my next life – and swapping stories. My Love and prayers for you and your family members always,. Love and admiration alaways, your Great Niece, Terri DeTar
I first met Allen when I came to work at Farmland Industries in 1975. Several of us worked closely with him and his group and established long lasting relationships. We met for lunches twice a month and played golf on tuesdays. It was a shock to hear of his passing as we had just played a round of golf a few days earlier and he seemed fine.
I’m sure he will be missed by his family and friends and our prayers are with you.
We’re thinking about all of you and we’re remembering the wonderful hospitality of Elaine and Allen when we visited them. We enjoyed keeping in touch with Allen after Elaine’s death. It meant a lot to us, and we know he enjoyed it too.
Allen was a very kind and throughtful man — and an ardent reader of the Montgomery County Chronicle which we own. He would always send us Christmas cards and wonderful notes throughout the years that were very much appreciated by our family. We were entertained by my cousin Elaine and Allen a few times in Lawrence and what a nice time we always had in their lovely home.When I was little and would see Allen at family visits, I always thought he looked just like the movie actor William Holden . . . handsome! Our condolences to the family.
Rick and family,
We are sorry for your loss.
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Peace,
Fred and Lois Mersmann
I just received a handwritten note from Allen a few months ago about a story that appeared in my newspaper. Because he was married into the George family (my mother, Kathy, was a first cousin to Elaine), Allen was one of my best readers . . . and always sent notes several times a year to inquire about the whereabouts of a Coffeyville person or some note of historical interest. During my years at KU, I enjoyed the yearly trip to the Lawrence Country Club for a Sunday brunch with Elaine and Allen. He will be missed.