Esteemed Central Texas broadcaster, Kris Radcliffe, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 51 in Temple, Texas.
His passing was announced by his co-anchor Lindsay Liepman during a KCEN 6 News broadcast on Wednesday evening. The NBC affiliate station serves the Waco-Temple-Killeen area of Texas. “He was simply the best,” expressed Liepman, “Funny, genuine and smart.”
Radcliffe’s impressive career began at KCEN in 2002. Initially joining the team as a sports anchor, he later transitioned to hosting “Texas Today,” the station’s morning show. Eventually, he took on the role of an evening news anchor.
Throughout his tenure, Radcliffe covered numerous regional stories of significance. These included the Baylor Men’s Basketball scandal, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, two separate shootings at Fort Hood, and the West Fertilizer Plant explosion. He also produced and hosted 200 episodes of “Money Talks,” a segment focused on financial education.
Radcliffe’s career was notable for many professional accomplishments. From 2016 to 2021, he won six consecutive “Waco Tribune-Herald On-Air Television Personality of the Year” awards. In 2016, he also received an Associated Press Award for “Best Morning Newscast.”
Rob Dwyer, the President and General Manager of KCEN/KAGS, released a statement saying, “Kris was a kind and generous person who elevated everyone he was around. It is hard to say goodbye.”
Originally from Torrance, California, Radcliffe graduated from California State University at Long Beach. Prior to joining KCEN, he worked in Nebraska and California markets. His father, John, was the official scorekeeper for Los Angeles Lakers home games for 48 years.
Eden Radcliffe, his wife, expressed her gratitude for the community’s support through her sister.
Kris leaves behind his wife, their daughters Victoria and Courtney, and two grandchildren. The family requests privacy at this time. As of now, no cause of death has been announced.
