Daryl Lee Hoffman, age 73, passed away on February 1, 2023. He was surrounded by the one thing he cherished the most, which was his family. Daryl spent his last days telling old stories and reminiscing good times with his wife: Cathy Hunt Hoffman, his children: Doug Hoffman, Jenny Hoffman Goodwin, Dale Hoffman, and Daniel Hoffman, along with some of his grandchildren: Hunter Hoffman, Connor Orgeron, Jake Orgeron, and Emma Goodwin (aka: “Baby E”). Daryl also had his dear friend, John Bibler, II, by his side every day to encourage him. On good days, they both teased the hospital staff which lead to some good laughs and great memories.
Daryl was one of five children to Hubert (Joe) and Eva (Hulbert) Hoffman. He entered this world on May 30, 1949 in Hemet, CA. At a young age, Daryl went to work with his father running construction projects all while going to school (skipping a day here and there). The project that would change his life forever was in the small town of Deer Lodge, MT. It was there one evening, while “cruising the drag” that he saw Cathy Hunt, and yelled from his car to hers, “Hey, do you want to go out!?”. A short time later, Daryl asked Cathy to marry him and told her that if she said “yes”, that he would show her the world. She accepted his proposal, and he held to his word. During their 55 years of marriage, Daryl and Cathy along with their four children went on to travel the world, high and low. There was never a place that Daryl did not leave an imprint. When he made friends, they became family, and he was known to bring many of them along on several of the projects he ran. Daryl was a “no nonsense” kind of man, and people either loved him or they didn’t. For those who did love him, loyalty ran very deep.
Daryl received his pilot’s license during one of his stents in Australia and later went on to purchase an airplane that soon became a family affair. Countless hours were spent washing, waxing, and flying that Mooney! He later went on to teach his oldest son, Doug, how to fly which resulted in Doug receiving his pilots license at the tender age of 17. Daryl enjoyed passing down his knowledge and sharing his hobbies with his wife and children whether it was in the plane, in a weight room, at a pool hall or simply at home with Chinese Checkers or Backgammon on the table. Daryl had a passion for shooting guns and spent countless hours spit-shining his weapons and reloading his own ammunition. He also enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids in the mountains of Montana, hunting, camping, or just exploring. He and Cathy loved living a life of spontaneity and would sometimes just jump in the car and go. They enjoyed listening to the song ‘Amarillo by Morning’ and driving to a new destination whether in the states or across the border. An adventure was always around the corner.
Daryl raised his boys to follow in his footsteps in the construction industry. He was very proud of the hard working, successful men that they became. He raised his ‘one and only’ daughter to be a strong, independent woman, who many called his clone, in a female body. With Daryl, there was no such thing as “can’t”, and nothing was ever done half a$$ed! He was a strong father with a fierce love for his children.
He took great pride in his wife and children, but his biggest love was for Jesus. Daryl would take every opportunity available to tell someone about the love of Christ, and his Lord and Savior. He had no doubts about life after death, Daryl simply knew that he would be in the presence of God when he left this world.
Daryl was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert (Joe) and Eva (Hulbert) Hoffman, brother Butch Hoffman, and sister Joanne Follette.
He is survived by his faithful and loving wife, Cathy Hunt Hoffman; Children: Doug (Charlyne) Hoffman of Santa Fe, NM, Jenny Hoffman Goodwin of Helena, MT, Dale Hoffman of Deer Lodge, MT, Daniel Hoffman of Billings, MT; Grandchildren: Hunter Hoffman of Helena, MT, Miranda (Damion) Lynn of Bozeman, MT, Connor Orgeron of Missoula, MT, Jake Orgeron of Helena, MT, and Emma (“Baby E”) Goodwin of Helena, MT; Sister-in-law: Carol (Hal) Doeg of Lutz, FL; Sister: Darlene (Gene) Shores of Kingman, AZ; Brother: David (Betty) Hoffman of Manley Hot Springs, AK; Nephews: Jesse, Jason and Jacob Hoffman of TN; Niece: Kelly Hoffman of Fairbanks, AK, and countless friends around the world.
Daryl will be greatly missed until the day we reunite with him in heaven. We are sure that he must be micro-managing something up there!
A Celebration of Daryl’s Life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, February 6, 2023, at Deer Lodge Assembly of God, 601 5th St. Deer Lodge, MT with a reception to follow. The burial will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. For those across the world that cannot attend, a Facebook Live will be available through Deer Lodge Assembly of God church.
Cards and condolences may be sent to the family at 68 Sand Piper Loop, Helena, MT 59602.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org, Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or to The NRA Foundation at 11250 Waples Mill Rd. Fairfax, VA 22030.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Monday February 6, 2023
Deer Lodge Assembly of God
601 5th Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Reception
Following the Celebration of life
Monday February 6, 2023
Deer Lodge Assembly of God
601 5th Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Burial
Following the Reception
Monday February 6, 2023
Hillcrest Cemetery
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Monday February 6, 2023
Deer Lodge Assembly of God
601 5th Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Reception
Following the Celebration of life
Monday February 6, 2023
Deer Lodge Assembly of God
601 5th Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Burial
Following the Reception
Monday February 6, 2023
Hillcrest Cemetery
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
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Pamela Diane Merritt says
No truer words could be written about the man, the myth, the legend Daryl Hoffman. I met the family through my husband Larry Kyle when he went to work with Daryl in Arkansas. The family welcomed me as their friend and we traveled all over at various points of our lives, including South America. I have watched the kids grow up and become awesome adults, which Daryl made sure of. I moved to Deer Lodge, Mt. because of Cathy, which I will be forever grateful, as it became my home and where I loved to be. Life has a way of changing things and it has been many years since I have seen the family, but have kept in touch over Facebook. I am sorry that I am not able to be there but know that the family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Sam Sandidge says
I was blessed to meet Mr Daryl once in Covington La and he was very nice and protective of his daughter
Emma goodwin (Baby E) says
I remember once in June of 2019 i was staying at momare(Cathy) and papa’s(Daryl) house for a night or two, Papa was making an apple pie with double crust for me and Momare.While the pie was baking in the oven papa went in the backyard to sit down and smoke a cigar.About an hour passes and i smell something burning! I look to see where Papa is and he is sitting on his lawn chair asleep with a burning cigar!! So i wake him up “Papa papa the pie is burning”! So he had to start all over and make a new one. I will never forget this funny memory although i have many that i dearly cherish with papa.I love him so much.
Emma Goodwin (Baby E) says
I remember once in June of 2019, I was staying at Momare (Cathy) and Papa’s (Daryl) house for a night or two, Papa was making an apple pie with double crust for me and Momare. While the pie was baking in the oven Papa went into the backyard to sit down and smoke a cigar. About an hour passes and I smell something burning! I look to see where Papa is, and he is sitting on his lawn chair asleep with a burning cigar!! So, I wake him up “Papa! Papa! The pie is burning”! He started all over and made a new one for me and Momare. I will never forget this funny memory, although, I have many that I dearly cherish with Papa. I love him so much and will miss him!
Kenneth White says
We worked together well in Montreal and at the work site in Qatar. There are only pleasant memories of our collective efforts to build the facility. Condolences to your family.
emma goodwin says
i miss you papa.