Bryan Joseph Hoofnagle

Bryan Joseph Hoofnagle, 44, of Asheville, NC passed away on June 2, 2025 surrounded by family and immense love. Born on September 17, 1980 in Portsmouth, VA, Bryan grew up putting his own flair on skateboarding tricks, playing around on the drums, spending time at the ocean, and looking up to his two older sisters. A James Madison University alumnus, Bryan found his love for the mountains and the outdoors in the Shenandoah Valley. His love for music, art, and history expanded immensely with his study of anthropology, eventually taking him to Kenya and Tanzania to study abroad and help open the East Africa Field School.

Bryan found his home in Asheville, NC shortly after college where he helped friends open Harvest Records. Always a soul searcher striving for a meaningful life, Bryan solo-hiked the Appalachian Trail, worked on a horse farm in New Mexico, attended the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute in Colorado, made magic in multiple restaurants in Asheville as a cook and pastry chef, led therapeutic alternative-treatment outdoor excursions for delinquent youth via Camp Woodson, and helped found the WNC Orienteering Club. Bryan’s passion for movement and the human body, along with his calling to serve others helped inform his career path as a Physical Therapy Assistant and Nationally Certified Whole Health and Wellness Coach for the Charles George VA. He was a healer in so many ways and one of the things that helped him heal the most was music. His memory for song lyrics was intact until his last breath.

Amidst all of Bryan’s experiences and accomplishments, the thing he was most proud of was being a father to his daughter, Drew. Their shared love of riding bikes, gardening, the beach, Star Wars, history, ice cream, and each other was beautiful to behold. Even in the most challenging times enduring cancer treatments, Bryan’s groundedness, presence, and love for Drew was abundantly apparent.

To be loved by Bryan was a tremendous gift to so many. His huge heart and beautiful spirit continue to touch and bring together people near and far. He is finally free to run or bike up mountains to his heart’s content in a strong and peaceful body. Bryan is survived by his wife, Sara Joss; daughter, Drew Hoofnagle; parents, John and JoAnn Hoofnagle; and sisters Susan Hodges and Staci Hoofnagle. A memorial celebration of life will be held in Asheville. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Gray Nation Endurance or Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

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