Ralph Joseph Hoffman II, “Joe”, 75, of Paola, KS passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2022. The son of Ralph Joseph Hoffman and Emma Catherine (Bush) Hoffman, Joe was born December 10, 1946, in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from Hope High School in Hope, Kansas in 1964 and later graduated from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude.
Early in life, Joe toured with his band The Vibrations and served in the United States Air Force 1969 -1971, with boots on the ground in Vietnam in 1970 to 1971. He married Carol Ann Johansen in April 1970, having three children: Ralph Joseph Hoffman III (1971), Suzanne Marie Torres (1976), and Mathew Robert Hoffman (1979). They built and made their home in Overland Park, KS.
A majority of Joe’s career surrounded the automotive industry after taking ownership of Ralph Hoffman Chevrolet in Hope, Kansas upon his father’s death in 1973. After retiring from the industry in 2009, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Kansas City, MO until permanently retiring in 2012.
In October 2008 Joe met Linda Patterson Raske. They married December 4, 2010 and made their home in rural Paola, KS. They affectionately referred to the home as Blue Willow, of which Joe would often share photos of his favorite sunsets. During this time, he found love for the church, studying the bible, and singing in the choir. In these endeavors he made many friends and contributed immensely to their communities. He was the founding president of the EncoreKC! Foundation and a singing member of its choir. While in the process of moving to Overland Park he fell ill. After a series of health complications, he passed away Wednesday, July 13.
Joe is survived by his wife, Linda; son Joe and wife, Shelley, Castle Rock, Colorado; daughter Suzanne M. Torres, Jefferson City, MO, and son Mathew and wife, Christina, Brookside, MO; grandchildren Alyssa M. Hoffman, Emma J. Hoffman, Taylor N. Hoffman, Angelina M. Torres and soon to be great granddaughter IslaMelody Anai Hoffman
Memorial services will be held Saturday August 13, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 11100 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS. In lieu of flowers, Joe’s wishes were to have memorial contributions made to the Choral Program for Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. A private burial will be held at the Ft. Leavenworth National Veterans Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS, Monday, August 15.