James Eldon Hosp, 66, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, May 5, 2018. He was surrounded by his family and fought bravely to his last breath.

Jim was born on May 15, 1951, in Joplin, Missouri, to Robert and Mildred (Micky) Hosp as the little brother of Bobby and Carolyn. The family was later joined by Peggy Hosp and Jim’s little sister, Tracey. He lived for many years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, graduating with the class of 1969 from Washburn High School, and playing for the school football and baseball teams, during which he and his teammates had some big wins and created life-long memories.

Jim, with Judy Martin, had four beloved children, Courtney, Lauren Jean and his boys, Collin and Tyler. He loved them deeply and every decision he made in the last 31 years was to help, guide, and support them. He is survived by them and his three precious grandchildren, Oliver and Felix Christenson, and Nuala Hosp Ni Mhorain, who were lucky to be told lively and creative home-made stories and build elaborate K’nex race tracks.

Jim lived the life of a dreamer and an innovator. He was always thinking up ways to make the world an easier or more lovely place. He owned a photography studio, giving budding artists a chance to display their work, sealed windows of those living in Austin, Minnesota, to help save on their energy bills, and worked many sales roles where he shone in customer service and work ethic. However, his life was truly never about his career, it was about loving others deeply, caring for his family, and training, cuddling and loving his late golden retrievers, Nala and Benny. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan from their inception and his one true regret may have been never seeing them win the Super Bowl.

He had such an impact on his world in the Cities, Austin and his true home, Lowell, Arkansas, where he surrounded himself with a wonderful community and finally pursued his dreams of living on the edge of a golf course and going out every day to perfect his game and winning many of its weekly and annual season end tournaments. His adopted family there will carry the sweet memories of his kindness and transformation with them.

He is preceded in death by his father, Bob; his mother, Micky; and his brother, Bobby.

There will be a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium in Austin, Minnesota. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Lung Association (http://www.lung.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/)