HOFELD, Jack Gordon

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, March 22, 2015 Jack Gordon Hofeld of Prescott, Arizona, passed away on March 13, 2015 surrounded by his wife and family. Jack was born on Jan. 12, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois and his life was full of adventure. In 1928, Jack's mother took him to Los Angeles for an extended vacation. During his time there, his mother learned that director Hal Roach was having a contest to find the next "Our Gang" member. Jack's mother sent in a few photos of Jack and he was selected to do film tests. Although he did not win, he did appear in two or three of the episodes. Jack graduated from high school in 1943 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Navy, serving for three years as a radio tech. Jack's expertise with radios and electronics served him well as he went on to head up a division of RCA with two other partners, Jim Mann and Bruce Waddell, which led to a lifelong friendship with the men and their families. Jack was a talented musician and singer and performed with numerous well-known country western bands throughout the United States during the 1950s. During this time, Jack auditioned to be in the "Sons of the Pioneers" but the band felt he sounded too much like Bob Nolan and he was not hired. Jack also enjoyed stage acting and was in several local plays and was even cast as an extra in the Barbara Stanwyck movie "Annie Oakley." In 1948, he met the love of his life, Margaret (Peg) O'Donnell whom he married on May 14, 1949. Children arrived shortly thereafter beginning with Ellen and then John, Patty, Rick, Dan and Carrie. Jack and his partners decided to move the business to Los Angeles, and off they went. Rosemary joined the clan in 1964 for a total of seven kids. Jack enjoyed building his company with his partners as well as working as a Reserve Deputy for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, which led to his attending the police academy on weekends, receiving his badge and retiring in 1981 as Captain. Jack was also an avid horseman and always made sure his children had a horse or two to ride. He and his partners also got in horse racing as a hobby, and purchased several thoroughbreds and had numerous winners. Jack and Peg retired to Coronado, California in the late 1970s with their youngest daughter, Rosemary. Jack enjoyed playing tennis and was in a men's tennis league for many years. Jack also served as a senior volunteer officer with the Coronado Police Department, as well as continued his love of theater, having been in several plays throughout the years at the Coronado Playhouse. Jack also opened a business restoring antique radios, a lifelong passion of his. In 2004, Jack and Peg moved to Prescott, Arizona, as Jack always loved Arizona and anything Western. There, Jack continued to operate the antique radio business along with his son, Dan, at their Radio Shack in Chino Valley. Jack also continued his love of all things Western and even rode one of the family horses again at the age of 89. Jack was an inspiration to us all to live life to the fullest. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peg) Hofeld; seven children, Ellen (Rick) DiGiovanni, John (Linda) Hofeld, Patricia (David) Chiasson, Richard (Mary) Hofeld, Daniel (MaeRose) Hofeld, Caroline (Dennis) Poirier and Rosmary (David) Dvorak. Jack also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and counting. The family wishes to give thanks to the wonderful staff with Hospice Family Care and Pine View Adult Care Home. They will never know how much their care of our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather meant to us. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2015 at St. Catherine's Laboure Catholic Church, 2062 N. Highway 89, Chino Valley, Arizona. Please log on to www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Jack's guestbook and share a memory with the family. Information provided by survivors.