Jim Hoffer, 78, who retired in Argos, Ind., died on Dec. 6, 2019 at Miller's Merry Manor in nearby Culver, Ind., where he was rehabbing from back surgery. He was 78.

Hoffer is best remembered in the fleet industry as the 29th president of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA), a position he held from 1996 to 1997. Hoffer was a long-time AFLA member and served as the director of dealers on the association’s Board of Directors. 

Hoffer spent his entire career in the automotive industry, working at retail and fleet operations with a variety of dealerships. Hoffer was most proud of his accomplishments as vice president and general manager of Jordan Ford in Mishawaka, Ind., where he took great pride in the fact that it was recognized by Automotive Fleet magazine as one of the top fleet dealers in the country.

In addition to working at the Jordan Group, Hoffer worked at Wolf’s Auto Auctions as vice president of fleet sales. While at Wolf’s Auto Auctions, Hoffer was responsible for coordinating the processing and sale of off-lease and commercial vehicles for large and small leasing and national fleet accounts with the company's three Indiana-based auctions, located in South Bend, Terre Haute, and Evansville.

Among the other dealerships Hoffer worked during the course of his automotive career was Saint Charles Buick Pontiac GMC, where he was vice president national fleet and commercial. Earlier, he was the general manager of Burnworth-Zollars Auto Mall, which consisted of two dealerships -- Ford Mercury and Chevrolet Pontiac.  Hoffer was also the president of Mike Anderson Automotive Fleet in Rochester, Ind. At the time, Mike Anderson Auto Group had seven dealerships located in Indiana and Tennessee, representing Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, GMC, and Ford. Hoffer served as president of the Tyler Automotive Fleet Network.

On Jan. 2, 1988, Hoffer married Cheri Hooker. The two of them were getting ready to celebrate their 31^st anniversary at the time of Hoffer’s death.

Hoffer attended the University of Miami from 1958-1963, where he graduated with B.S. degree in psychology. Following graduation, Hoffer served in the U.S.  Army.

He is survived by his wife, Cheri Hoffer; daughter, Elizabeth Hoffer; and granddaughter, Finleigh Louise.