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

NBC affiliate KCEN 6 News, a local Texas television station where Kris Radcliffe worked for 22 years, revealed his sudden death during the evening newscast.

“Kris sat in the chair right next to me and he was the best, he was just the best,” said Radcliffe’s co-host Lindsay Liepman, fighting back tears. during a moving tribute.

“Funny, genuine and smart. I looked forward to working with Kris every night and I think you can all relate at home. We had fun here. Kris loved this community and never took her role for granted.”

“If I had known that yesterday would be our last news together, I would have ignored the rap cues from our producers and laughed a little harder at all his jokes,” Liepman said through tears.

“I would have thanked him for everything he taught me and gave to everyone, the viewers, but now that’s how life works.”

The station paid tribute to its fallen colleague before a sister station in Austin took over for the rest of the show.

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

The cause of his death has not been announced.

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

The popular newscaster then became anchor of the evening news, covering the latest headlines and breaking news for his central Texas audience.

During his two decades at the station, he notably covered the Baylor Men’s Basketball scandal, the Columbia-Texas split, the Lady Bears 3 National Championships, two Fort Hood shootings, the West Fertilizer Plant explosion and the Twin biker shootout Peaks, the press reported. .

Also, Radcliffe hosted and produced 200 episodes of “Money Talks” for the station — a weekly segment focused on educating viewers about their finances — and was named the Waco Tribune-Herald Television Personality of the Year for six years in a row.

Prior to his time at KCEN, the news veteran worked in broadcasts in Nebraska and California and graduated from California State University at Long Beach.

“KCEN and the Central Texas community have lost a truly wonderful person,” said Rob Dwyer, KCEN/KAGS President and CEO.

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

Radcliffe is survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren, who have asked for privacy as they mourn their sudden 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 pass on our deepest thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love and support for her, their girls and their families,” she wrote.

“Receives and reads your messages and posts, but it’s just too difficult to reply right now.”

Details of the memorial and funeral arrangements have not yet been released.