Tragically, our friend Dan Kohlhofer had his life taken from him on Sunday, November 28, 2004. He was only 51 years old. There is an online memorial essay, which I will try to acquire for permanent linking through this site. Below my paragraphs is a copy of an article about Dan's life and death.

After we spent our childhood together in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, Dan ended up in Beaumont, Texas. In spring 2004, Dan's younger brother Andrew Kohlhofer reached me through the Internet, on which he had been Googling for "Puerto La Cruz" and found my little photo essay on this website. Andrew provided Dan's email address, along with updates of the rest of his brothers. Dan and I finally spoke via phone in summer 2004, for the first time in more than three decades. It was a good conversation, and I very much regret not following up promptly. As it was, I let other things take priority.

Dan's diligence, intelligence and business skills made him one of the Bolivar Peninsula's more prominent citizens, owner of grocery stores in Winnie, Port Bolivar and Crystal Beach. His leadership abilities shone for the area in his service to church, community, and local government. The family had moved Mrs. Kohlhofer to Beaumont a few years ago, partly because of the Venezuelan political situation, and I know that Dan and the rest were committed to caring for her.

Unfortunately, Dan's passing was a violent one, as he was murdered in a robbery on Sunday morning on the Bolivar Peninsula as he was apparently making the rounds of his stores, probably before attending church. Feel free to contact me for whatever details I've tracked of the legal investigation.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Autopsy Report Shows Businessman Died of Several Gunshot Wounds
Reported by Sally MacDonald
November 29, 2004 - 7:35PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Picture of Daniel Kohlhofer in the middle. Two of Kohlhofer's brothers are on each side of him.)

Investigators have learned the cause of death of a well known businessman on Crystal Beach. Late Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office told KFDM News a preliminary autopsy report indicates Daniel Kohlhofer died of several gunshot wounds to his body. Someone found the body of the 51-year-old businessman in a ditch along the Bolivar Peninsula Sunday. His truck was found Monday in a remote part of Western Liberty County. Kohlhofer owned the Gulf Coast Market. Sally MacDonald reports tonight customers say a trip to the Bolivar Peninsula won't be the same without their friend running his store.

Employee: "Hardware to Customer Service. Thank you."
The Gulf Coast Market on Crystal Beach is 'the' place to shop. Sam and Debbie Smith call it "the big store."
Debbie Smith/Customer:
"You don't tell him to go down to Gulf Coast Market and get something. You tell him to go down to the big store or Dan's."
Daniel Kohlhofer built the big store 18 years ago.
Bill Robertson/Businessman:
"He was a fine businessman, very aggressive, and he knew the products to handle that people wanted."
Monday the store was without its founder. At about 10:45 Sunday morning a driver found Kohlhofer's body lying in weeds along Highway 87 near Caplen.
Bill Robertson/Businessman:
"Everybody knew him and liked him, and for a tragic thing like this to happen is just bizarre."
Bill Robertson last spoke with Kohlhofer on Saturday. Witnesses told Galveston County Sheriff's investigators they saw a vehicle parked on the side of the highway at about 7:00 A.M. Sunday. Witnesses saw a person standing next to the open passenger's door. Kohlhofer's body was found four hours later nearly in the same spot.
Debbie Smith/Customer:
"It had to be done in daylight, and that's very scary, so I'll be watching from now on."
So will the other 5500 people who live year round on the Bolivar Peninsula. Customers say shopping at Gulf Coast Market wasn't the same Monday.
Debbie Smith/Customer:
"He was a very giving person. He gave to all of us, so we're really going to miss him."

Daniel Kohlhofer is survived by his wife and son and many other relatives. Investigators believe Kohlhofer left the Winnie area around seven Sunday morning in his dark green 2002 Chevy four door pick-up truck. If you saw the truck along Highway 124 on Highway 87 on the Bolivar Peninsula, call the Galveston County Sheriff's Office at 766-2322.