John Peter Hoffman passed peacefully in his sleep at Dominican Hospital ICU on Thursday, April 27, 2023. He was 68 years old. He was surrounded by love from his family and friends. He is survived by his father, the Rev., Dr. Marshall L. Hoffman (Ltc. Col., ret.) of Scotts Valley, CA, and his two brothers: Edward Lee (June Anderson) of Hoffman’s Downtown, Santa Cruz, and Timothy Harold, of Barstow, CA. He is also survived by his two sisters: Marsha Marie (Rick) Laumen of Tucson, AZ, and Mary Kay (James) Wagonblast of El Segundo, CA. He loved celebrating family events. He left behind several nieces and nephews: Marie (Korky) Kitchen, Adam (Lauren Sullivan), Michelle, CayleeAnn Hoffman, and Christina, Joshua, and Gregory (Christa Patel) Wagonblast. His great-nieces and nephews: Amelia Hoffman, Chloe and Finn Kitchen, and Lloyd Hoffman will remember the Uncle who always showed up for family dinners.

John was born at Covina Hospital to a young Baptist youth pastor and his wife, Marshall and Katheryn (Blackburn, deceased 2008) Hoffman. He arrived in Northern California, when his father joined the military (Army) in 1967 and the family was stationed at Fort Ord, California. He fell in love with Santa Cruz, and kept returning. John finished High School at Santa Cruz adult school, due to constant relocation in a military household, and traveled throughout Europe while the family was stationed overseas in Kaiserslautern, Germany in the 1970s. He then traveled through the United States, even working at the Miramar when it was on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. While living in the South Bay, he completed his Associates Degree in Welding at El Camino College in Torrance, CA, and did a short stint in the Navy. John continued a career in welding. He also loved pottery, and made some lovely pieces that remain with the family. John made friends wherever he went. He grew up in a religious household, and continued that tradition. He converted to Catholicism while living in the High Dessert, and became a Knight of Columbus, Holy Innocents Church Council 11881 in 2007. He was very proud of that honor. When he retired in 2016 due to health issues, and being on dialysis, he relocated to Scotts Valley, CA near family. He really enjoyed the last 7 years here, making Santa Cruz Community Church his home. He enjoyed his church family, and we want to thank everyone for the love that has been shown to our whole family. We also wish to thank the dedicated staff at Satellite Capitola, Dominican Hospital, and Santa Cruz Post Acute for the exceptional care that was shown to John in his last two months.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, May 20, at Santa Cruz Community Church, 411 Roxas St. A reception will follow between 12 and 2 pm at The Grille Restaurant at DeLaveaga golf course.