James E. Hovis Jr.

James E. Hovis Jr. (Jim) age 89 of Colorado Springs, Colorado went to be with Jesus, and all his loved ones that have passed before him on October 1, 2024. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends during his final days, which were peaceful and pain free.

Jim was born March 31, 1935, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, son of James E. Hovis and Mary Alice Hovis (Griggs). He was the first born of four boys, Joseph Samuel and Daniel were his three brothers.

He graduated from Oil City High School in 1953 and attended Bryant Stratton College in Buffalo, New York for 1½ years before he returned to Oil City. Jim worked on the railroad for a few years, before getting a job at the Continental Can Company and worked there for over 30 years.

Jim married Gwendolyn Walker in Oil City, PA on November 29,1957 at Trinity Methodist Church. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage until Gwen passed on December 24, 2013. They met at the Oil City swimming pool and were married 4 months later. Jim was a hard worker and always provided a great life for his family.

He was known by many as “Big Jim” he was a strong man, who worked out a lot lifting weights, using the punching bag and splitting wood for the fireplace, he always seemed busy doing something. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed many years of hunting with his family and friends in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, and a few years of hunting elk in the majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains. Wherever he was, every chance he got, he was off loading his boat to head to a lake in his quest for trout, blue gill, and walleye. He and his family and friends enjoyed annual trips to Canada for male bonding adventures.

Jim loved nature, biking on bike trails, and simply just absorbing the beauty of the woods around him. He and his family enjoyed many years of camping throughout the United States. He was very excited to retire in Colorado Springs and live out his final days in the Rocky Mountains. He will always be grateful for his spiritual encounter, with an angel that changed the course of his life.

Remaining to cherish Jim’s memory is his daughter Julie Dale and son in law Warren, son J. David Hovis (Duke), granddaughter Sarah Hovis, two great granddaughters Brooklyn Thomeier and Miaka Williams, and brother Sam Hovis, the Kaska family, special friend Maryann Cotterman, many nieces, nephews and cousins too many to name.

Preceding him in death was his beloved wife Gwen Hovis, grandson David Thomeier, parents Jim and Mary Alice Hovis, brothers Joe Hovis and Dan Hovis, mother and father-in-law Alex and Ada Walker.

There will be no visitation, a private graveside service will be held for his family at a later date.