Norman Nathaniel Hofferman passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday morning, March 29, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky at the age of 89. He was born in Chattanooga, TN, on April 19, 1933, to parents Raisa and Nathan Hofferman and was brother to the late Gitta Stein.

Norman was an exceptional athlete and fervently devoted his early years to sports, which played a huge role in his high school and college life. He attended Central High School in Chattanooga, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for football, and graduated in 1951. He was then awarded a football scholarship to Georgia Tech, where he played for one year, went on to play basketball for UTC, and was inducted into the State Hall of Fame for softball.

Following college Norman enrolled in the army from 1954-1956, where he continued his passion for sports by playing football, baseball, and basketball. Over the years he would grin ear to ear every time he shared that during his service in the army he never carried a gun, just a baseball bat.

A man of integrity and a successful businessman, Norman owned and operated Chattanooga Truck Parts for over 25 years. He was highly respected for his generosity and treatment toward his employees as well as his honesty with his customers.

Following his retirement Norman was honored with being inducted into the Jewish Federation of Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame, where he graciously accepted the award in the presence of family and friends.

As enamored as Norman was with sports, he was equally devoted to Jewish life. Having grown up in a loving, religious home and becoming bar mitzvah at B'nai Zion Synagogue, he took his daily prayers seriously and remained steadfast during his praying so as not to be interrupted, not even by his army captain or the doctor who performed his hip replacement.

Norman was a quiet man but spoke volumes through his excellence in sports, contagious laugh, and entertaining stories. He will best be remembered for his loyalty and devotion to his adoring wife, Peggy and his loving granddaughter, Emily as well as to so many other family members and friends to whom he regularly reached out, and for his unwavering commitment to Jewish life.

Norman is survived by his wife of 41 years, Peggy Hofferman; step children Randy Gray and Greg Gray; granddaughter Emily Gray; nephews, Ethan Kind, Alan (Griselda) Stein, Stuart Stein, Ira (Leslie) Stein; great nieces, Hannah Stein, Talia Stein, Leah (Todd) Brumley, Celia Stein; and great nephew, Noah (Ashley) Stein

Funeral services will be graveside at B'nai Zion Cemetery on Sunday, April 2 at 1:00 pm EDT

605 Lullwater Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37405

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to B'nai Zion Synagogue, Shriners Hospitals for Children or Bluegrass Care Navigators (Hospice).

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Ponders Brainerd Chapel, 4203 Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, TN.

www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org and www.ogr.org