Donald Brooks Hoffman, age 65, entered into the joys of Heaven and the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 2, 2023. He was welcomed there by his father and mother, Robert and Edith Hoffman and his in-laws, Donald and Grindella Crate.

Don is survived and missed by his devoted and light-of-his-life wife of 45-plus years Elisabeth Ann Hoffman; and their six children, Maria Goeller (Mark), D. Aaron Hoffman (Kelly), Benjamin Hoffman (Emma), Paige Weaver (Matthew), Beth Williams (Dagan) and Amy Hoffman. He will be forever cherished and loved by his 18 grandchildren - Shiloh, Moses, Ronen, Ezekiel, Gideon, Serene and Samara Goeller; Dietrich, Tucker, Roscoe & Finn Hoffman; A. Judson and Annie Hoffman; Cookie, Carly, Kara, Chip and Danny Weaver.

Don will be dearly remembered by his sisters, Bobbye Beall (Harold) and Marta Holden (Colin). His brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donna and Ron Guberman, Don and Marylou Crate, Jaime and Jean Crate, Mary Crate and Tom and Paula Crate feel as if they have lost one of their own siblings and will miss Don tremendously. His many nieces and nephews have treasured memories of him as well.

Although Don owned a very successful business, his true passion was using his resources to support the persecuted church worldwide as well as furthering the message of the Gospel. He accomplished this in many creative ways. He funded projects through Free Burma Rangers, Akha Outreach Foundation, Christian Freedom International, and many others to assist people groups in Burma, Thailand, Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria, Sudan, and North Korea. One of his great joys was bringing smiles and laughter to the faces of the orphans that he met on his trips. His love for the Karen people of Burma was so great and unique that generations of refugees were cared for through his ministry.

He was also active in the United States as a Charter member of the Ark Encounter Project with Answers in Genesis. He spent many hours being the hands and feet of Jesus in soup kitchens, nursing homes, homeless shelters, prisons, puppet ministry and more. He took the freedom he enjoyed in this country seriously and was active politically; lobbying on Capitol Hill for homeschool rights through Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) as well as advocating for the unborn and working the polls in his area.

Other than his faith and family, one of Don's real joys was music. This was a gift inherited from his mother. As a teenager, he not only played bass in the high school orchestra and bass drum in the marching band, but was also part of a very successful southern rock band, Southbound. As a father, he passed his love of music and harmony on to his children and formed a Christian family singing group that wrote and recorded several albums together. They also enjoyed several years traveling the East Coast ministering in song to churches and other locations. Don used his voice to bring God glory and point others towards Him. He was a member of the Gainesville Community Choir and his rendition of the "Our Father" was an unforgettably moving version that left his hearers feeling the presence of God.

Professionally, Don owned American Benefits Planning, an insurance brokerage firm, and for many years his youngest son was part of his company along with his assistants Dave Peterson and Birgit Ralston. Don's clients stayed with him for many years because of his commitment to customer service as well as his honesty and integrity in business.

Don and Liz lived most of their married life in Northern Virginia. They were members of Remnant Ministries in Ft. Washington, MD, where for more than 30 years, he and Pastor Gary Thomas were close friends. In 2021 Don and his wife moved to Shelby, North Carolina on Moss Lake into his parents' home: Birdland. This was to be the retirement haven for Don and Liz to enjoy for many years with their children and grandchildren. Don could often be found watching sunsets from his favorite spot on the back deck overlooking the lake.

Don's biggest challenge in this life was his battle with multiple systems atrophy (MSA). With courage and the heart of a warrior, he faced it head-on and we are sure he heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Near the end of his life, he was well cared for by the staff at Wendover Hospice House and his loving Helping Hands caregiver, Melinda Mastrano. We know he cared for all of them and was thankful for their ministry to him in his last days on earth.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10:30am at Elizabeth Baptist Church, 301 N Post Road, Shelby, NC. This will be followed by the burial at Cleveland Memorial Park 1225 College Ave., Shelby, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to either the Free Burma Rangers (www.freeburmarangers.org) or Wendover Hospice House, Shelby, NC. (https://www.hospicecares.cc/)

"The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake
I'll never, no never, no never forsake"

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory