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Posted: 9/06/07

Radcliffe Killam's Legacy...

 

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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.


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