Cornelius B. Hoffmans

Cornelius (Connie) B. Hoffmans, 91, of Henderson Nevada, passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2024.

Connie was born in Burlington Kansas to his parents Karl and Marguerite Hoffmans.

In his early life, Connie was a talented student-athlete and pianist. He attended Emporia High School and was a 4-sport athlete, eventually focusing on football and becoming a member of the All-State team his senior year. He was honored to entertain his fellow students with a piano performance of Rapsody in Blue at his high school commencement. His efforts earned him music and football scholarship opportunities at several colleges, but he ultimately selected Wichita State University (then called Municipal University of Wichita) where he played quarterback and was on the track team. In 1954, he led the Shockers to the Missouri Valley Conference championship with a record of 9-1. He graduated with degrees in Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and Air Science.

After college, Connie entered the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer. He was positioned at several bases and trained and qualified as a single-engine jet fighter pilot. He married his wife, Sharron, while stationed in Bermuda. He left the service in 1959 and became a reservist.

After the USAF, Connie returned to college at the University of Kansas (KU) to obtain his MBA with a focus on production management. After graduating, he had a successful career with Corning Glass streamlining operations at several Corning manufacturing facilities across the country, eventually landing in El Paso, Texas, with his wife Sharron and two boys. In El Paso, he worked for several companies over the years in production and manufacturing management. When not working, he focused his attention on raising his family and giving his children the opportunities, experiences, and skills, they would need to succeed in life. Tennis became his passion, often playing doubles with his sons on Sundays after early morning mass, and he played for as long as his hips and back would allow him. He retired in 1999, and moved to Henderson, Nevada, to be closer, but not too close, to his children.

Connie was a lifelong member of the Kiwanis Club (50+ years) and in retirement dedicated much of his time and resources to its mission to “improve the world one child and one community at a time”. He served in numerous board positions and led committees for student scholarships and Key Club activities at multiple local high schools.

Connie was a loving and caring husband to his wife, coach and role model to his children and grandchildren, and cherished friend to many others who appreciated his charming personality and quick wit.

He is preceded in death by his wife Sharron and older brother Carl.

He is survived by his sons, James and Charles and their wives Kerry and Kimberly, his younger sister Ann Pyle, and his grandchildren, Krista Cowden and husband Tom, Erika, Colton and Courtney.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 3rd , 2024, at 1:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Henderson. Arrangements are by Davis Funeral Homes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Green Valley Kiwanis Club at www.greenvalleykiwanis.com .