Virgil J. Hoffman, Jr., 93, of Kansas City, MO passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. He was born in Perryville, MO. on February 27, 1929 to Virgil Sr. and Ellen (Cissell) Hoffman.
On June 4, 1955, he married the love of his life, Mary Lee Schweiss. They both grew up on farms in Perry County, MO. They had a beautiful 58 year marriage.
Preceded in death are his parents, his wife, Mary Lee (2014), an infant son, John and a brother, Paul Hoffman (2018). Surviving family members include, Norma Buerck (sister) and his six children: Mark Hoffman (Pam) of Camarillo, CA, Lynne Dyer (Kevin) of Glen Carbon, IL, Susan Christifano (Al) of Kansas City, MO., Denise Zeikle (Chuck) of Kansas City, MO, David Hoffman (Christine) of Overland Park, KS and Stanley Hoffman (Jill) of Kansas City, MO. He had 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Virgil served in the US Navy during the Korean War. He was a Naval Aviator and flew over 50 missions in a Seaplane Patrol Squadron. He joined TWA as a pilot in 1954, retiring in 1989 after 35 years as an International Captain on the Boeing 747.
Virgil was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 7199, Retired Airline Pilots Assn, TARPA (Retired TWA Pilots), TWA Heart of America Alumni, Marnier-Marlin Assn. (US Navy Seaplane Squadron Member), Boy Scouts of America (3 sons were Eagle Scouts) and the ROMEOS (Retired Pilots meeting at the Corner Café-Riverside)
The Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m., Monday, October 24, 2022 at St. Therese Catholic Church 7207 N.W. Highway 9 Kansas City, MO. The Visitation will be held from 5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 24, 2022 at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Virgil’s life will commence at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at the church with Father Randy Sly presiding. A private interment will be held at Resurrection North Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and the TWA Museum. Memories of Virgil and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear of Virgil’s passing. A friend for many years. May he Rest In Peace and be together with his beautiful wife Mary Lee. Prayers
I had the privilege of meeting Virgil and playing golf with him on what I believe may have been his last time to play with the KC Northland Seniors league. I thank God that he gave me the honor of meeting Virgil. Being a 30 year veteran and getting to spend 4-5 hours with a true American Hero was such an honor for. I have not passed one chance to tell the part of his story that I was able to pull from him. I wanted to know so much more. Even though I only knew him for about 5 hours, it’s 5 hours I will never forget. I believe God has a special place for people like Virgil. Please except my sincere condolences.
Best uncle ever. Shared so many happy family times. So glad he and aunt Mary Lee always stayed here in Cape as they traveled many years back and forth to Florida. Love you and miss you Uncle Virgil.🙏
We will miss you Uncle Virgil.
It was an honor to know Virg! He had such a giving heart. He will be missed by so many . Fly high! God will take it from here.
I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Hoffman’s death. Even though I didn’t know him personally, I saw him at Mass for years and was acquainted with him since I went to school with his children. My Mother-in-law, Marie Kissinger, was among the many friends Mr. Hoffman had. Last, but not least, my Dad, Joseph Zollmann, also a TWA pilot, used to comment that Virgil was an excellent pilot. I’m truly sorry for his family. They lost a good man.
To the Hoffman families
Bob and I have been praying for Virgil since we heard of his illness. We are so sorry for his passing, but know that he is surely reunited with his beautiful Mary Lee. Such a true and faith filled gentleman. We will keep all of you in our prayers during this difficult time.
On Earth we mourn the loss of Virgil. Heaven, though, is rejoicing upon his arrival.
I personally didn’t know Mr. Hoffman, but met Mary Lee when we were both receiving cancer treatments. I know that Jesus and Mary Lee were waiting, and greeted him with open arms! Eternal rest granted to him, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.
Virgil played on my scramble team this year in the Northland senior golf league. I will always remember when he made a 50 foot putt to save our team from a boggie. He was a great man and we are all sorry for his passing..
So sorry for your great loss. I’m sure there was great rejoicing when he arrived in heaven and Mary Lee was there waiting for him. Rest In Peace Virgil.
Henry and I want to express our deepest sympathy and prayers on the loss of Virgil. He was a very special, caring, gentle man, and we were proud to call him “ friend.” May he rest in peace with the joy of knowing he is with our Lord, who he loved so dearly, along with his special Mary Lee.
So sorry to hear of Virgil’s passing .Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
I have known Virg since I first started work at TWA in 1965 flying copilot for him in “The Constellation Propeller Airplane” and copilot in the jet airplanes of the decades since. Over these years I have been around Virg not only at work but in enjoyable leisure retirement.
Since I have spent lots of time with Virg in and out of the cockpit there has been lots of conversations involving his children, family, free-time activities, and life in general. I have seen that he has been a loyal dedicated husband and family man. A wise man once told me that one can see the true character of a man by playing golf with him.. life’s experiences have shown me this is true and I am sure all Virg’s golf friends agree with me.
I have been involved with Virg in a camaraderie of TWA friends and I know they all agree with me when I say “he was a Gentleman’s Gentleman “!We know that Heaven and Mary Lee rejoice and welcome Virg, a true and faith filled gentleman, with open arms!
There is one empty chair at the head of the table at the retired Captains weekly coffee. This group will continually be reminded off our missing delightful friend.
Dave and family, so sorry for your loss. I only heard warm and loving stories about your dad. May he rest in peace!
IN MEMORY FOR A VETERAN :
Thank you Virgil for serving our country. Because of your service to our country we can all live are lives every day in freedom and peace.
God bless for keeping our country safe and for all the sacrifices you have made for our country for me and for all of us.
LINDA PETERSON
WIFE OF A (DECEASED) UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN
I am so sorry for your family. I belonged to a prayer group at st Therese with Mary Lee and we shared a birthday..aug 18.
They were both beloved folks.
I also worked for TWA.
Hoffman Family,
I am sorry about the loss of your beloved Virgil. He was a true Christian gentleman. I send love and prayers.
Peace,
Shannon
Virgil was a strong, kind, witty and nature-loving longtime friend and neighbor to us.
Virgil and his beloved Mary Lee have left such an admirable legacy, including their
extraordinary offspring. Our thoughts and prayers have been and will be with you all.
Our sincere condolences to the Hoffman family. May he rest in peace.
My prayers and sympathies are with all of you at this time of loss. I have many wonderful memories of all those years of sharing our children at St. Therese. Those were blessed and special times. The TWA connection was a bonus. May the Lord hold Virgil, Mary Lee, and all the children and families close.
God Bless.
Pat Mayer Medill
To the Hoffman Cousins
We are sorry for your loss.
Virgil always called and we would go to lunch when he came to Perryville. We enjoyed catching up about the family when we got together. We had some laughs about growing up when the older cousins got together at there grandparents house.
We were glad we were able to meet all of you at the Hoffman reunion at Rhondas’.
We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you all at this difficult time.
Fellow Naval Aviator and fellow TWA pilot, though we only met once at a birthday party for his son in law Kevin, we too mourn Virgil’s passing .
Our deepest sympathy to his daughter and our
friend Lynne Dyer, along with all family members.
Susan and Kelvin
What enjoyment it was to play golf with Virg for a few yrs in the Northland Senior league.
As someone has already said “he was a gentleman’s gentleman “.
Totally impressed with his military and TWA carrier. I think he told me that he knew how to land a plane on the water better than how to land on the ground in the beginning of his Naval service.
I was so sorry to read of Virg’s passing in the Star yesterday! Chris’s mom, Mary, and I spent a lot of great times together and with Virg’s family, who always welcomed me to many gatherings just as I was part of the family! Virg was a humble, sweet, loving man, as was Mary Lee! I love you guys and always felt (feel) close to each of you. I’d LOVE to come to the visitation tonight but I can not. I’ll call you in a couple days, Dave/Chris! You all are in my prayers! God Bless You all! I know they are celebrating in Heaven, together again, and in the precious presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My love and tears to each of you!! Much Love and Big Hugs! Sandy
Bruce and I are so sad to hear about Virgil. Your Dad was such a wonderful man, so much fun and so much kindness. I know he is with Mary Lee laughing and smiling…He left a wonderful legacy with all you kids! We were lucky to have had him in our lives and will remember him always..
Love,
Linda Kunz
So sorry to hear of Virgil Passing, Thought & prayers for family at this difficult time
Virgil, Joe Larry & i used to go to roxanne for breakfast after 8:00 mass on sunday
Very sorry to hear of the loss of Virgil Hoffman, may he Rest In Peace
,our many thoughts & prayers are with each of the family suffering his loss.
Know that he is with the love of his life & our Lord & Savior. God Bless
My family has so many fond memories of Virgil and Mary Lee. My parents enjoyed so many years as their neighbors. Any my dad enjoyed the many games of golf! I will never forget the pie Virgil made and he invited me to taste. He was so nice and yes, the pie was delicious! He was such a kind hearted person. My condolences as you celebrate his life and mourn his loss.
My husband, Dan, died 5 days after Virg. The four of us were great friends: river trips down the Current, Mary Lee and I traveled with the TWA wives, many dinners together. We met in 1976 when we moved to Parkville and were close friends all those years.
I feel such loneliness.