Who was Kris Radcliffe? Tributes pour in as beloved Texas News anchor dies at 51
On October 30, 2024, Texas local news portal KCEN 6 News announced the demise of evening anchor Kris Radcliffe, aged 51. The Texas TV station mentioned that Radcliffe's passing was sudden and that his family had asked for privacy.
Commenting on the demise of Kris Radcliffe, President and General Manager of KCEN/KAGS, Rob Dwyer, mentioned in a statement:
"KCEN and the Central Texas community lost a truly wonderful person. Kris Radcliffe, husband, father, grandfather and anchor for KCEN and the community will be missed. Kris was a kind and generous person who elevated everyone he was around. It is hard to say goodbye."
As per FOX 44 News, Kris Radcliffe was the 5, 6, and 10 pm anchor at KCEN TV in Temple, Texas, and had been working for the station for 22 years. The anchor worked on the air in California and Nebraska before coming to Central Texas. The news portal further mentioned that Radcliffe anchored sports, and was the anchor on the morning news for nine years before shifting to evening newscasts.
KCEN's website mentioned that the late news anchor's dedication to storytelling was evident and that he was named "Waco Tribune-Herald On-Air Television Personality of the Year" from 2016 to 2021, which is the most number of times anyone has won the title.
The news portal also stated that Radcliffe had a deep love for his family, and he was a proud father, a devoted husband, and found "immense joy" in being a grandfather.
Kris Radcliffe's co-anchor Lindsay Liepman gets emotional remembering the late anchor
According to TODAY, Radcliffe's co-anchor Lindsay Liepman became emotional during the newscast on October 30, 2024. She recalled that Kris Radcliffe used to sit in the chair beside her, calling him "simply the best".
She further said that Radcliffe was genuine, smart, and funny and that she looked forward to working with him every single night. Lindsay added that they had fun working together and that Radcliffe loved the community and "never took his role for granted.”
Moreover, regarding their last newscast together, Lindsay mentioned:
“I would have ignored the cues to wrap from our producers and just laughed a little longer.”
Further, in a message to TODAY, she said that announcing Radcliffe's death to the viewers was the hardest day of her career. However, she didn't want the viewers to hear the news from anyone else, adding that Kris would have done the same for her.
Besides, the late anchor's wife Eden Radcliffe's sister, Libby, shared a statement on Eden's behalf on Facebook, stating that she wanted to relay her "profound thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love and support for her, their girls, and families." Libby also mentioned that Eden is receiving and reading everyone's texts and posts, however, it is too difficult for her to respond at this time.
Kris Radcliffe leaves behind his wife, two daughters, a granddaughter, and a grandson. KCEN 6 News reported that in recent years, Radcliffe covered two Fort Hood shootings, the Twin Peaks biker shootout, the West Fertilizer Plant Explosion, and Baylor's Men's Basketball National Championship.
Additionally, some of the stories covered by him over the years included the Columbia break-up over Texas, the Baylor Men's Basketball scandal, a Heisman Trophy, and the Lady Bears 3 National Championships.