Radcliffe Killam Dies Sept. 8;
Enduring Legacy for TAMIU
This weekend, Laredo and Texas lost a great leader, humanitarian and
supporter of higher education. Mr. Radcliffe Killam died
Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007 at age 97 of natural causes at his home in Laredo
with family present.
Please take a moment to read about Mr. Killam and his lasting legacy
here at TAMIU and beyond.
 Radcliffe Killam and the Killam family name are synonymous with support
of higher education in South Texas and beyond. Mr. Killam and his wife,
Sue Spivey Killam, helped fulfill Laredo’s long-cherished dream of
a campus for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) with their
generous gift of 300 acres of prime land in northeast Laredo for Texas'
newest four-year University.
Born in the small town of Grove, Oklahoma, Radcliffe Killam followed in
the footsteps of his father, O.W. Killam, a legendary independent wildcatter
in the oil and gas business.
Radcliffe Killam graduated from Laredo High School, and often toiled in
the oilfields as a teenager. He received a Bachelor's degree from the University
of Texas and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School.
His military service included time as a Lt. Commander in the US Navy and
Mediterranean Area Commander, Pacific Theater Boat Base.
His has been a guiding hand in much of the nation’s oil and gas
industry's growth in the past 50 years. His industry interests have included
exploration, production and transportation.
His diversified businesses include extensive ranching interests, residential
and commercial real estate development, banking and financial investments.
He also served his community as a director or officer of numerous public
and civic organizations. He had been a member of the Board of Directors
of the M.D. Anderson Hospital for over 30 years and had established a professorship
there.
He was a director of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association and a Member
of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the All- American
Wildcatters.In 1978, he was honored as "Mr. South Texas" for
his outstanding contributions.
With wife Sue at his side, the couple assisted greatly in the growth of
TAMIU, providing primary support for the University’s Center for
the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade.
In recognition of their long-standing support of higher education, The
Texas A&M University System conferred on Mr. and Mrs. Killam honorary
doctorates from Texas A&M International University.
Mr. Killam is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sue Spivey Killam; son
David and wife Hayley of Laredo; daughter Adrian Kathleen of Austin; daughter
Tracy DiLeo and husband Michael of Austin; and four grandsons, Radcliffe
Killam II of Houston, David Killam Jr. of Laredo and Nicholas and Joseph
DiLeo of Austin.
He was predeceased by daughter Terry Killam Wilber, brother Winfield Killam,
and sister Patricia Louise Killam Hurd.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007,
at the Killam Companies’ office, 4320 University Boulevard, across
from the campus of Texas A&M International University.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the TAMIU
scholarship funds or a charity of your choice.
Related Links
Thoughts from Radcliffe Killam
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests
and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information
Services at prmis@tamiu.edu
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