J. Douglas Hoff "Dad"

J. Douglas Hoff "Dad" took his last breath of a wonderfully full life on the night of February 10, 2011. He now enjoys the warm embrace of the God he loved and honored throughout his life. Born in Annapolis, MD on March 21, 1923, he spent four memorable years of his youth in the Army during World War II. After the war, Doug attended Georgetown University which opened the door to the next adventures of his life. The School of Foreign Service provided the platform for his work as the Director of International Visitor’s Office at the Office of Personnel Management of the U. S. Government. Often referred to as the "ambassador to the world," Doug trained foreign officials about how the U.S. Civil Service system functioned and how it might be best implemented in their countries. He loved his work, was highly decorated, and visited more than 70 countries during his 30 years as director.College more importantly provided the biggest adventure of Dad’s life. While waiting at National Airport in Washington, D. C. to pick up his roommate’s date, he was smitten by a beautiful woman stepping off of the plane. Needless to say, the beautiful woman turned out to be his roommate’s date, but that was no match for fate. Doug and Rosemary married in 1950 and shared their love with their family and large extended family of sibling and cousins as well as many friends for the last 61 years.Doug and Rosemary transitioned from big city life to Morganton, NC in 1994. They enjoyed every aspect of their move, made many new friends, and Dad spent many afternoons with his "other love", his garden.Together with his loving wife, Rosemary Loughrey Hoff, he is survived by their children and their spouses, Gregory and Marty Hoff, Laura and Jack Dunsmore, and Donna and Tom Hall all of Morganton, and Tim and Kathy Hoff of Charlotte; grandchildren, Chelsea Widner and husband, Anthony, Isaac Hoff, Abram Hoff, Jennifer Garrison and husband, Zane, Jason Dunsmore, Joshua Hall and wife, Becca, Seth Hall, Sarah Hall, Jesse Hall, Michael Hoff, and Emily Hoff; and seven great-grandchildren.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Charles and Ruth Stevens Hoff Sr.; brother, Bernard Charles Hoff, Jr.; and sisters, Mary H. Haygood and twin sister, Ruth Hoff.The family would like to express their appreciation for Dad’s caregivers over the past four years. Rhonda Petersen, Sandi Clark, Barbara Hodges, Kim Glover, and grandson, Josh Hall all shared a beautiful caring love with Dad. Also we can never express enough appreciation to the wonderful staff of Hospice for their tender care of Dad during the past months. Many thanks to all of you from the heart.The funeral Mass will be said at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Fr. Kenneth Whittington and Rev. Eddy Bunton officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center. Graveside rites will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain, NC with military honors by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.