John D. Hoff

John D. Hoff passed away on May 23 under hospice care after a long battle with cancer.

John was born to Mark and Onita Hoff on November 28, 1946, the youngest of five siblings. He grew up on the family ranch southeast of Idaho Falls. At the age of nine, he was pulled off the playground and put on a tractor raking hay, becoming part of the farm’s crew thereafter.

Music was a big part of the family’s life, and John started his part of that early, too. At the age of five, he was working out tunes on the piano, playing by “ear”. His mother signed him up for piano lessons, but to no avail, as he would not stick to the lessons. He soon moved on to the Hammond Organ and added a trumpet to his talents. Participating in “Gifford’s Marching Band” was an important part of John’s high school time.

Out of high school, John signed up for a stint in the Army and remained in the reserves for the next six years. Returning to the farm John became a partner with his older brother Bob. John married Christy Davis in 1970 and became parents of Cherie and Jennifer. Farming and music were equally important to the family as both daughters became accomplished musicians and remain active in music.

In 1984, John and his brother founded an aviation company at the Idaho Falls airport, Aero Mark Inc. As John wanted to try another new venture, so they dissolved the partnerships and he started an organic wheat and alfalfa operation in western Idaho close to Weiser which he and Christy operated until his death. John also developed and marketed lubrication systems for irrigation equipment using vegetable oils, mitigating any possible soil contamination. His equipment extended chain and gear life exponentially. John also made custom stainless steel shovels with the owner’s name and the date stamped on. He often gave them away to people he felt were making a real constructive contribution to his country.

“Entitlement” was not in John’s vocabulary. John’s faith was strong and was surely picked up by some angel’s sometime in that early morning.

He is survived by his wife, Chris, daughter Cherie, and daughter Jennifer Sullivan (John), granddaughters Jordan Bowman, Madelein Bowman, and Aine Sullivan. His sister, Marilyn Hansen, and a brother, Robert Hoff (Jane). He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Mark and Onita May Hoff, his brothers James Hoff and Richard Hoff.

Services are pending.