Beloved Texas news anchor Kris Radcliffe has passed away at the age of 51

A beloved Texas news anchor who was described as a friendly, funny and warm presence died unexpectedly at the age of 51, his news station announced Wednesday.

NBC affiliate KCEN 6 News – a local TV station in Texas where Kris Radcliffe worked for 22 years – revealed his sudden death during the evening news.

“Kris sat next to me in the chair and he was the best, he was just the best,” Radcliffe co-host Lindsay Liepman said as he choked back tears during an emotional tribute.

“Funny, sincere and smart. I looked forward to working with Kris every night, and I think you all could tell at home. We had fun here. Kris 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 our producers’ cues to rap and just laughed at all his jokes a little longer,” Liepman said through 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 for the remainder of the broadcast.

“I just can’t get through the news tonight, and I hope you understand,” Liepman concluded.

His cause of death was not disclosed.

Radcliffe, a California native, joined KCEN in 2002 as a sports anchor and became a morning anchor for “Texas Today,” a daily morning show covering local news, entertainment, sports and weather, for nine years, according to KCEN.

The acclaimed anchor then became an evening news anchor, delivering breaking headlines and breaking news to his central Texas audience.

During his two decades at the station, he notably reported on the Baylor men’s basketball scandal, Columbia’s breakup over Texas, the Lady Bears’ three national championships, two Fort Hood shootings, the explosion of the West Fertilizer factory and the Twin Peaks biker shooting, the outlet reported.

Radcliffe also hosted and produced 200 episodes of “Money Talks” – a weekly segment aimed at educating viewers about their finances – for the channel, and was named Waco Tribune-Herald On-Air Television Personality of the Year six years in a row .

Prior to his time at KCEN, the veteran journalist worked on the air in Nebraska and California and was a graduate of California State University, Long Beach.

“KCEN and the Central Texas community have lost a truly great individual,” said Rob Dwyer, president and general manager of KCEN/KAGS.

“Kris Radcliffe, husband, father, grandfather and anchor for KCEN and the community will be missed. Kris was a kind and generous person who lifted everyone around him to a higher level. It’s hard to say goodbye.”

Radcliffe is survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren, who requested privacy as they mourned the abrupt 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 express our deepest gratitude to you for the outpouring of love and support for her, their girls and families,” she wrote.

“She receives and reads your texts and messages, but it’s just too hard to respond at this point.”

Details about the memorial and funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.