James R. Hoogenboom, 87, 1102 S. 15th St., Goshen, died Thursday at 2:10 a.m. at The Maples at Waterford.

He was born June 26, 1920, in Goshen, to Dirk and Jenny (Berkman) Hoogenboom.

In 1938, he graduated from Goshen High School, where he played football, basketball and ran track. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1945 during World War II, and was in five major battles in the European Theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal for bravery in the Battle of the Bulge.

He played on a football team during his stay overseas before the invasion of Normandy. During a football game at which the King and Queen of England were present, he scored a touchdown. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gen. Omar Bradley were present at a reception following the game, and invited Jim to join them because it was his birthday.

He graduated in 1950 from the College of Advanced Traffic, Chicago, Ill. He was also made a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. James Brown of Kentucky.

He retired in 1985 after 30 years at the former Penn Controls, which is now Johnson Controls, in Goshen. He was supervisor of transportation and traffic manager. A member of Brenneman Memorial Missionary Church, he taught Sunday School class and was involved in First Light Ministry in Eastern Europe.

He married Betty Johnson on May 9, 1942 in Lancaster, S.C. She survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Jennifer (Dr. Donald) Riley, Gathersburg, Md.; a son, Rev. James L. (Becky) Hoogenboom, Tucson, Ariz.; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Nell (Leonard) Hoogenboom, Goshen, Catherine Higgins, Metarie, La.; and two brothers, Richard (Ann) Hoogenboom, Goshen, and Dr. Bernard (Louise) Hoogenboom, St. Peter, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Erin-Kathleen Riley, who died in 1972.