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Donald "Snowball" F. Hoff Jr.
1953 - 2014
Donald "Snowball" F. Hoff Jr.
1953 - 2014
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1953
DIED
2014
Donald "Snowball" Hoff Obituary
He was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, Don moved to Chattanooga in 1996 when he married Lookout Valley native Susan White.
Don is from the Tlingit Nation of Southeast Alaska. He is a member of the Tongass Tribe, Gaan axi adi Clan, Raven House and Tlingit name is Aan Kadax Tseen, which means Happy Man in a Village.
Don loved gardening, was an accomplished oil painter, enjoyed doing native beading and carving and the highlight of his older years was spending time with his grandchildren. During his life he worked many professions including serving our country in the United States Navy, working on the Alaska Pipeline, Commercial Fishing, Alaska State Trooper dispatcher, City Council member in Ketchikan, OSHA President for State of Alaska, Vice Mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska, Fisheries Tech with the US Forest Service and Environmental Tech with TVA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Don Sr. and Tillie Hoff and brothers, John and Ross Hoff; father-in-law, David White, Sr.
Don is survived by his soul mate of 19 years Susan White Hoff, daughters, Erica Hoff, Hixson, Lisa (Scott) Fisher, Wasilla, AK; son, Daniel Hoff, Eugene, OR; special niece, Kimberly (Don) Putnam, Decatur, IL; granddaughter, Audrey Hoff, Hixson; grandson, Asher Putnam, Decatur, IL; brothers, Kenneth (Sandi) Hoff and Jimmy (Charm) Hoff, Juneau, AK; sisters, Rosemary (Ernie) Ellison, Juneau, AK, Annie (Tom) Trudeau, Craig, AK, Darlene (Jeff) Armbruster, Paso Robles, CA and Linda (Steve) Hansen, Ketchikan, AK; mother and father-in-law, Charles and Libby Hamlin; sister-in-law, Cheryl Smith, all of Whitwell; brother-in-law, David (Carmen) White, Ider, AL; many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Dr. Puzanov, Debbie Wallace and Pam Williamson of Vanderbilt and to Mother-in-law, Libby White-Hamlin for helping care for him and his co-workers at TVA.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, July 11 followed by a celebration of "Snowball's" life at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Don will be cremated and his ashes will be spread in Alaska on lands that held special meaning.
Don's request is that no one wears black to his funeral. Wear bright colors and don't be sad, but celebrate the great life he had. Don's fight for years to live has set an example of how not to give up but to enjoy life even in the face of severe circumstances.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Don, Susan, myself and our friend Dale in Ketchikan where we all met Don in 1995.
Jane Kolias
July 26, 2014
Michelle Moore
July 17, 2014
I met him when my husband Brad started at TVA. He was a very nice man and he was always smiling. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Emily Willard
July 13, 2014
I worked with Don at TVA and his courage and love for his family was an inspiration. He will be missed very much. The thing I will never forget about Don was his wonderful smile and strong spirit before and throughout his fight with cancer...he never waivered. My prayers go out to his family.
Cecelia Johnson
July 10, 2014
It was awesome to see Don on Skype when we did a fundraiser for him and Susan! He was a very special and well loved Alaskan Tlingit Warrior. His hugs were so warm and he will always have a special place in our heart!
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Marlene Keaton
July 10, 2014
My sympathy to all of the family in the loss of someone you dearly love. After reading the obituary, Don must have been a very loving and interesting person. Made me wish I had been able to have known him.
Susan, your dad and my husband, (Tom Keaton) were cousins. I always enjoyed visiting with your grandparents.
Sam Holt
July 10, 2014
Good Bye my Friend. To the Family: I had the opportunity to meet Don when I worked at TVA. Don was always a joy to be around. Even when Don was dealing with his health issues I never saw him in an unpleasant mood. Don was full of life and shared his love of life and his fondness for his heritage. May you find strength in this time of loss. "There is a Great Reward for those who endure"
John Walker
July 9, 2014
John walker mounts my god be with you
Keith Stump
July 9, 2014
Don was aptly named: Aan Kadax Tseen. I learned much from his brave fight against cancer. Although I, not infrequently, disagreed with Don about political matters, in matters that mattered, I came to love him in a special way. May he rest in peace, and may his family and friends rejoice in the honor they had in knowing and living with him.
Patricia Zook
July 9, 2014
My condolences to Don' s whole family. He always had a smile for everyone. He was a warrior and fought the last battle of his life. He lost the battle physically but he will be remembered so fondly by many.
Vivian Blanchard
July 9, 2014
Here is hoping your new journey will be as amazing as your life was, you truly are a warrior. Classmate 72
Judy Serna
July 9, 2014
Don Hoff exhibited the greatest will to live I have ever seen. Every minute of his struggle with cancer was exemplified with love for his family and fellow man. You never saw Don without a smile on his face. He was the most loving husband, father, grandfather and friend one could have. The love he showed his family was clearly unmatched. Every day unfurled for Don as another day gifted by Creator to him to be with his devoted family. I am certain that Creator is wrapping His loving arms around Susan and the girls in these early fragile days.
Stevie Burden
July 9, 2014
So sorry my old friend lost his battle but he fought like the true Tlinget warrior that he was! I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to reconnect. I will miss his gentle spirit! Love to all his family you were so blessed to have him as your own. He will be missed beyond words!
Joyce Makua
July 9, 2014
All of my Condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren. The Hoff, Ridley families. My wings are wrapped around you all. Don was a great friend of my family's. And of my brothers. Prayers.
Eddie Martin
July 9, 2014
R.I.P you were a very special man
Linda and Randy Smith
July 8, 2014
We are so saddened to hear of Don's death and your sorrow. Please know we will remember him with love.
Donna Turner
July 8, 2014
Susan our prayers are with you and the family. I grew up with Don and the rest of the family, spending many hours playing in the neighborhoods of Woodland and Deermount. Our Parents were friends. He will be greatly missed. Hugs to all of you. Donna Williams Turner
Steve Kakaruk
July 8, 2014
Susan and family; Don was indeed a friend and loved life. Don exemplified courage and love of family and friends through out his years. We were all blessed to have been in his company. God bless you all
Trish Ellison
July 8, 2014
All of my love to Lisa, Erica and Audrey. My deepest condolences.
Kit-Coon
July 8, 2014
All my Love and prayers to Susan,Erica,Audrey and all the rest of my extended family
Catharine Wells
July 8, 2014
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
Don, your contagious smile and loving heart are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for living so courageously.
Diane Watson
July 8, 2014
My prayers are with you all!! I didn't know Don personally, but saw many pictures of your last trip together and his love for his family came shining through. Always a smile on his face. He is resting in peace now until that Day. I pray for YHWH'S peace and comfort to be with his dear wife Susan and all of his family.
Chandra Alley
July 8, 2014
Our thought and prayers are with you Susan
Kenneth Samuelson
July 8, 2014
Don was a blessing to me and my family. We met in Cherokee, NC as we were both instilling the love our Tlingit and Tsimshian culture to our family. Since that day we realized how simular our paths are, both being blessed with beautiful ladies from the south. I will will always remember my friend by his 2 beautiful paintings hanging in my home proudly! Susan your love and devotion to Don is amazing. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
elaine hicks
July 8, 2014
susan I am so sorry for your loss from what is saw on facebook and the one time I met him at the reunion he was a very special person I will be thinking about you in this time of sadness Elaine
Lisa/Greg Mitchell
July 8, 2014
I met Don at our family reunion around this time last year (2013). Wonderful person to have met. My family-Greg, Gregory, James, Chelsea, Jake and Kelsey and our 2 Grand girls will all miss him dearly. Susan we love you cousin. After reading blogs and posting updated information you have been a strong wife. I envy you. Don you will be missed dearly. Thank you for sharing Dons every moment. God Bless!
Cousin Lisa
Karen Edmondson
July 8, 2014
Dear Susan, I am sorry for your loss. I just met Don but could tell he was a wonderful man. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Jay Simpson
July 8, 2014
Known don my entire life, grew up next door in ketchikan on deermount st . Went thru navy boot camp at the same time and college in Eugene. A truly good man with a love of life. he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Stacy Branham
July 8, 2014
I only knew Don for a very short time but that's all it took to know he was special! His smile and laugh lit up the room!! Susan just know he loved you so much!!! He was a shining example to us all His grace and courage taught me to love life everyday!!!
Denny Brown
July 8, 2014
You are missed but never forgotten. Your contagious SMILE...:) lives on in all of us blessed to know you, learn from you, work beside you and call you friend.
Denny Brown, TVA
david white
July 8, 2014
<3
Eleanor Curley
July 8, 2014
Dear Susan and Family...I am so sorry for your loss! Know that he is still with you and you will feel his presence all around you! His suffering is over and he is at Peace! I wish you strength in this difficult time! My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Take Care!!
July 8, 2014
Don was a great guy. When he came in the office, he would make sure he spoke to me. I was the secretary for Line Construction. He showed me examples of his paintings. They were beautiful. Don fought hard to stay with his family and friends. He is at peace with our creator. God bless you, Susan. Teresa Steele
July 8, 2014
Susan, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Don was a good man and I am so glad I got to spend some time with him in our adventures while I was at HP. He has been very couragous thru this battle and you have too. Praying for peace & comfort for your sweet family during this difficult time and the days ahead! Love you my friend!!
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5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343
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