Who was Ken Hoffman? Tributes pour in as beloved Houston columnist passes away 

Houston-based columnist Ken Hoffman passed away on July 14, 2024, at his Lake Conroe residence. The celebrated journalist wrote for various news outlets, including Houston’s CultureMap, Houston Post, Houston Chronicle, and Houston Radio.

Although the cause of death had not been made public at the time of writing this article, Chron reported on July 15, that Ken Hoffman died after getting into an accident at his residence. He and his family took to their Lake Conroe house after the power in their West University home was shut down due to Hurricane Beryl.

Ken Hoffman’s last article was published on Friday, July 12, 2024. The piece reviewed the response of Houston’s local leaders and CenterPoint Energy to Hurricane Beryl, which hit Texas in recent weeks.

Ken Hoffman was deeply loved for his columns, which provided insights into Houston’s daily happenings. He was cherished for being the voice of many Houston natives for the past 22 years, especially when he represented the people and their concerns with the Houston Chronicle.

Several members of the media community took to the internet to pay tribute to Ken Hoffman. Raheel Ramzanali, the host of the City Cast Houston podcast, took to Facebook to recall being mentored by the journalist. He wrote online:

“Hoffy took me under his wings when I first started working in this market and always included me in every cool opportunity. He was always there for me and [David Nuño] when we were frustrated with work. Our lunches were absolutely some of the best moments. Gonna miss you, Hoffy.”

Retired meteorologist Frank Billingsley, who worked with KPRC 2, also wrote on Facebook:

“I respected not only his clever writing talent but his unmatched ability to 'tell it like it is', see the dark side using a light side, and raise even the most mundane topic to the top of the heap.”

Podcast host Sean Pendergast also took to X (formerly Twitter). He wrote:

“He was one of a king. Hoffy hated posing for pics but I did find these, from judging the Nathan’s contest in 2017 and 2018… Damn. I’m gonna miss him.”

Other tributes from colleagues and netizens on X read:

“Ken was an amazing journalist with a quick wit & kind heart. And he loved Houston.I’ll treasure those @astros games and the hot dog named after you, pal. Erin/Andrew, I’m so very sorry,” one person said.

“Ken Hoffman was one of the koolest people I ever worked with. He once told me that I had the best podcast in the city of Houston and that made me feel like I was f**kin Joe Rogan. it breaks my heart to see all of my old friends from Gow pass. May he rest in peace.,” another netizen noted.

“I read Ken Hoffman before the sports section growing up. No higher praise I can give than that. RIP,” another person said.

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More about Ken Hoffman as colleagues share their tributes online

While at the Houston Chronicle, colleagues remembered him for his love of junk food, especially Kenny and Ziggy’s and Funny’z Pizza.

This subsequently led to some dishes in Houston being named after him, including the Ken Hoffman New York Hot Dog at Minute Maid Park, and Demeris BBG’s Hoffy Burger, which is an Angus beef patty served with cheddar and bacon.

Lastly, a fried onion ring served with a sweet sourdough bun, and Shipley’s Do-Nut’s Hoffy Twist, which is a glazed cinnamon twist doughnut served with chocolate frosting.

Speaking about the Shipley doughnut named after him, he wrote in Houston Chronicle in March 2013:

“My name on a menu is my legacy. I didn’t win the Pullitzer Prize this year, again, but I’ve got a Shipley doughnut named after me. When the big sequester hits, you can’t eat a chocolate-frosted Pulitzer.”

Hoffman is now survived by his wife, Erin, and his son, Andrew.