Reverend James N. "Jimmy" Hoffman

James N. “Jimmy” Hoffman 88, of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed from this life in to the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 22, 2020 in Oklahoma City. 

He was born September 25, 1931 to Noel and Christa (Henderson) Hoffman in Minter City, Mississippi. 

Jimmy was raised on Sunflower Plantation in Mississippi.  He attended high school in Drew, Mississippi.  Jimmy graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.  He moved to Shawnee from Eufaula, Oklahoma in 1996 and lived here the remainder of his life. 

Jimmy proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and Army Reserves. 

Jimmy married Linda Jean Walker on May 24, 1956 at Prosperity Baptist Church in Ramsey, Arkansas.  She was his greatest supporter in their many years of ministry together. 

Jimmy began preaching in his early 20's. He returned to the town of his birth and started that community's first Southern Baptist church in 1954.  He was ordained to the gospel ministry on July 3, 1955 at Prosperity Baptist Church.  Jimmy started 6 of the 20 churches he pastored in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.  Jimmy resigned after 13 years from Homer Baptist Church in Ada, Oklahoma this past October, his final pastorate after 66 years of dedicated and devoted ministry.  He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee. 

While serving in ministry, Jimmy was bi-vocational working in the insurance business.  It was often fondly stated that he offered both assurance and insurance to people. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Noel and Christa Hoffman; a brother, Herman Dean Hoffman. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving bride of 63 years, Linda Hoffman of the home; a son, Bob (Kelli) Hoffman of Edmond; and a daughter, Jayme Blessing of Denison, TX.  He was affectionately known as a doting “Pawpaw” to 4 grandsons, Jordan (Adrienne) Blessing of The Woodlands, TX, Hayden Blessing of Oklahoma City, David (Nikki) Blessing of Konawa, and Grant (Rachel) Hoffman of Franklin, TN; 5 great-grandchildren; and many other extended family members and friends. 

Please make donations in memory of Jimmy Hoffman for church planting and Homer Baptist Church to "The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma".  Please mail donations to The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, Department 960598, Oklahoma City, OK  73196-0598.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 27, 2020 at Cooper Funeral Home.  Private family services to be held with Jimmy's brother-in-law, Reverend Paul Walker officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.