KHOU 11 photojournalist John King has died, just days before his 44th birthday, his station reports.
"We lost a talented journalist and an even better colleague," said KHOU 11 General Manager David Loving in a statement. "He brought professionalism, heart, and generosity to work every day."
King joined KHOU in June of 2023.
"John made our newsroom better," KHOU 11 News Director Kathryn Bonfield added. "He worked hard, lifted others up, and brought kindness and respect to every assignment. You could feel his joy and grace in the way he worked and how he treated people."
He previously worked for News 4 San Antonio WOAI and FOX 29 KABB as a photographer and producer for Cleto Rodriguez's "Where’s Cleto" segment.
Starting his career at KFDM 6 Beaumont as a studio technician, King later moved into a news photographer role.
A Texas Southern University and Willowridge High School grad, King was known as a lover of music.
"John was very musically talented as well and had a great ear for great music," said Channel 11 reporter Ugochi Iloka. "I saw him perform at one of his shows with his band. That man can play the drums like nobody’s business. He loved music just as much as he loved being a photojournalist. We would jam to Magic 102.1 singing and getting hype on the way to our news assignments. I remember we tried Trill Burgers at the Rodeo on me and he smiled real big. I wanted him to know he was thought of and valued."
KHOU reports a balloon release will be held in King's honor at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 2nd, at Emancipation Park in Houston.
