A beloved Texas news anchor who was described as a kind, funny and warm presence has died suddenly at the age of 51, his news station announced Wednesday.
NBC affiliate KCEN 6 News — a local Texas television station where Kris Radcliffe worked for 22 years — revealed his sudden death during the evening newscast.
“Chris sat in the chair next to me, and he was the best, he was just the best,” said Radcliffe’s co-star Lindsay Liepman, holding back tears during an emotional tribute.
“Funny, true and smart. I looked forward to working with Chris every night and I think you could all tell at home. We had fun here. Chris loved this community and never took his role for granted.”
“If I had known that yesterday would be our last newscast together, I would have ignored the cues from our producers to rap and laughed a little longer at all his jokes,” Liepman said between of tears
“I would have thanked him for everything he taught me and gave to all of you, the viewers, but that’s how life works now.”
The station paid tribute to their fallen colleague before a sister station in Austin took over the remainder of the broadcast.
“I just can’t get through the newscast tonight, and I hope you understand,” Liepman concluded.
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
Radcliffe, a California native, joined KCEN in 2002 as a sports anchor and went on to become the morning anchor for “Texas Today,” a daily morning show covering local news, entertainment, sports and weather, for nine years, according to KCEN.
The well-known newscaster then became an evening news anchor, covering the latest headlines and breaking news for his central Texas audience.
During his two decades at the station, he notably covered the Baylor men’s basketball scandal, Columbia’s upset over Texas, the Lady Bears’ three national championships, two Fort Hood shootings, the West Fertilizer plant explosion and the exchange of bike fires in Twin Peaks, outlet reported.
Radcliffe also hosted and produced 200 episodes of “Money Talks” — a weekly segment focused on educating viewers about their finances — for the station and for six consecutive years was named the Waco Tribune-Herald On-Air Personality of the Year.
Prior to his time at KCEN, the veteran journalist worked in broadcasting in Nebraska and California and was a graduate of California State University, Long Beach.
“KCEN and the Central Texas community lost a truly wonderful person,” said Rob Dwyer, president and general manager of KCEN/KAGS.
“Kris Radcliffe, husband, father, grandfather and anchor to KCEN and the community will be missed. Kris was a kind and generous person who lifted up everyone around him. It’s hard to say goodbye.”
Radcliffe is survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren, who asked for privacy as they mourn the sudden loss.
His sister, Libby, posted a statement on Facebook on behalf of Radcliffe’s grieving wife, Kris.
“On behalf of my sister, she wanted me to pass on our deepest thanks for the incredible outpouring of love and support for her, her daughters and their families,” she wrote.
“She’s getting and reading your texts and posts, but it’s just too hard to respond right now.”
Details about memorial and funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.
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