James Stoffer

James 'Jim' Robert Stoffer, 66, of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away early Thursday

morning, July 11th at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics following a tragic

bicycling accident just one mile from home. Jim's loving family; wife Jaye and

sons Ben and Zach were bedside as Jim valiantly battled to the end.

Jim was born in Davenport, Iowa to Robert and Lennice (nee Elvidge) Stoffer on

November 23, 1952. Jim was the eldest of four children and a par excellence role

model his entire life. Jim developed an early passion for sports, especially

basketball, baseball, cycling, running and golf. Jim played basketball for

Davenport Central H.S. and in his junior year the Blue Devils won the 1970 State

Championship. During his senior year Jim led the QC Metro Conference with a

sizzling .617 shooting percentage. Jim competed in 40 consecutive Quad-City

Times Bix 7-mile running races throughout the notoriously hilly streets of

Davenport and the East Village. In the '82 race Jim posted a time of 40:51 which

was the 8th fastest among thousands of Davenport runners. Jim was an avid

golfer and qualified for several QC Amateur tournaments but he mostly just

enjoyed the game with family, friends and colleagues. In recent years Jim's love

for cycling enticed him to test his mettle along with 30,000 other riders in the

Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) which spans the

state of Iowa from west to east covering approximately 475 miles in one week.

During winter months Jim trained indoors logging over 9500 miles in just 2-1/2

years. Jim was stricken by his end of life event doing what he loved on the land

he loved...cycling what he cleverly termed the "five boroughs" of Davenport/

Bettendorf.

Jim graduated from Marycrest College with a degree in Biology and earned a 2-

year Masters degree from the Perfusion Technology Program at the University of

Iowa, Carver College of Medicine. Jim was an extremely loving and

compassionate man so his 35+ year perfusion career was a perfect fit - helping

to save and improve patients lives every single day. Jim spent the majority of his

career serving Genesis Health and Trinity Medical Centers in Iowa/Illinois and at

Travis AFB Medical Center in northern California. Jim and his family profoundly

missed their midwest roots and were ecstatic to relocate from CA to the Quad-

Cities in 2015 to reconnect with treasured family and friends and build their new

forever home.

Jim was a diehard fan of Hawkeye football and basketball and enjoyed his role

as commissioner of annual NCAA March Madness pools, Fantasy Football and

the Quad City Hackers "When it's breezy, swing easy!" Fantasy Golf league.

Jim's moniker "Big Possums Walk Late" is exemplary of his quirky, fun-filled

personality. Jim recently discovered podcasts and instantly became addicted to

all types, listening to them incessantly. He was the self-proclaimed family pool

shark and was fond of watching YouTube videos to improve bank shots and learn

new techniques. He was a savvy Wall Street investor incorporating the strategy

of "pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered". Jim was well researched and always at

the ready with a stock tip.

Jim is survived by the love of his life for 27 years Jaye (nee Baustian) Stoffer;

and his dearly loved children Benjamin Richard Stoffer and Zachary Robert

Stoffer, both University of Iowa students. Jim is also survived by his three

devoted siblings: Gregory Stoffer (Denise), Davenport; Joseph Stoffer, Nashville,

TN; and Carol (nee Stoffer) Hingtgen (Steve), Orlando, FL. Jim was a cherished

uncle to three nieces: Lindsay (nee Stoffer) Lee (Clayton), Chelsea (nee Stoffer)

Thompson (Evyan), and Grace Hingtgen; and three nephews: Mitchell Stoffer

(Madeline), Maxwell Stoffer and Davis Hingtgen. Jim is a great uncle to Mariah,

Andynn, Miles, Grayson and Elynn. Jim is predeceased by his parents Robert &

Lennice Stoffer. Jim will be greatly missed by his faithful companion Maggie.

Through the years, Jim and his family attended St. Paul the Apostle Catholic

Church and Sacred Heart Cathedral; but most importantly, Jim lived and loved

the way Christ taught as evidenced by his vast circle of friends and admirers. Jim

was a precious gift from God to his family and friends, but called home way too

soon and way too suddenly.

Services entrusted to Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main Street,

Davenport, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4-7PM on Monday, July 15th at the

funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30AM on Tuesday, July 16th

at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 422 E. 10th Street, Davenport, Iowa. An additional

visitation will be held prior to mass from 9:30 to 10:30AM also at Sacred Heart

Cathedral.

To honor Jim’s memory, the family plans to establish a memorial and/or

foundation in his memory. The proceeds will be determined after the family

processes their profound loss. If you are interested in making a donation, checks

may be made payable to Mrs. Jim Stoffer in c/o Halligan-McCabe-DeVries

Funeral Home.