SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 618
	In Memory
	of
	Red McCombs
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
	commemorates the life of Billy Joe "Red" McCombs, a celebrated
	Texas entrepreneur and philanthropist, who died February 19,
	2023, at the age of 95; and
	WHEREAS, Billy Joe McCombs, dubbed "Red" for his red hair,
	was born on October 19, 1927, in the small West Texas town of
	Spur; descended from families of farmers, Red was taught the
	value of hard work when he started his first business at the age
	of nine; his unstoppable ambition, keen business sense, and
	larger-than-life personality made him a legendary figure in
	American industry and sports management, and his philanthropy
	made the McCombs name synonymous with generosity as well as
	excellence; and
	WHEREAS, A successful football player during high school
	in Corpus Christi, Red earned a scholarship to attend
	Southwestern University in Georgetown; he paused his college
	education to serve his country with distinction in the United
	States Army for two years before returning to enroll at The
	University of Texas under the GI Bill; and
	WHEREAS, Realizing his true calling as a businessman, Red
	left school and returned to Corpus Christi, where he sold cars at
	the Ford dealership and excelled as a salesman through his
	determination and charisma; he opened his first car dealership at
	the age of 29 in 1957, and the Red McCombs Automotive Group
	quickly expanded into an automotive empire; the enterprise
	became the largest car dealership network in Texas and the
	sixth-largest network in the nation; and
	WHEREAS, A talented entrepreneur and a shrewd media
	visionary, Red purchased San Antonio radio stations in 1972 with
	his business partner, Lowry Mays, and together they founded Clear
	Channel Communications; Red's intuition for franchise expansion
	and his experience in business and advertising helped the company
	to grow into the world's largest radio station conglomerate and
	to become a dominating power in the industries of outdoor
	advertising, live music, and sports management; and
	WHEREAS, In 1973, Red purchased the Dallas Chaparrals
	basketball team and relocated the team to San Antonio under a new
	name, the Spurs; widely recognized as a trailblazer in sports
	management, Red turned the Spurs and the Denver Nuggets into
	national powerhouses and played a key role in shaping the modern
	incarnation of the National Basketball Association; he spent a
	number of years as the owner of the National Football League's
	Minnesota Vikings, and by investing in Circuit of the Americas,
	he was instrumental in the establishment of Formula One racing in
	Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Generous community benefactors, Red and his wife,
	Charline, donated $50 million to The University of Texas business
	school, which was renamed the McCombs School of Business, and $30
	million to the university's MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston;
	Red was a champion for education, and his philanthropy created
	countless opportunities for students and young entrepreneurs in
	Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Red was blessed with the love and support of his
	late wife, Charline, for almost seven decades; together, they
	were figureheads in the San Antonio community and were greatly
	involved in both state and national politics; Red and Charline
	were blessed with three daughters, Lynda McCombs, Marsha
	Shields, and Connie McNab, and he cherished his eight
	grandchildren and his 11 great-grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, An esteemed civic leader and a titan of industry
	who created more that 400 businesses, Red McCombs changed the
	American automotive trade, professional athletics, advertising,
	and radio broadcasting; he embodied the spirit of the Lone Star
	State through his love of thinking big and his zest for
	deal-making and adventure, and he leaves behind an inspiring
	legacy for all Texans; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
	Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
	family of Billy Joe "Red" McCombs; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
	Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
	memory of "Red" McCombs.
	Campbell
	Alvarado Hinojosa Nichols
	Bettencourt Huffman Parker
	Birdwell Hughes Paxton
	Blanco Johnson Perry
	Creighton King Schwertner
	Eckhardt Kolkhorst Sparks
	Flores LaMantia Springer
	Gutierrez Menéndez West
	Hall Middleton Whitmire
	Hancock Miles Zaffirini
	Patrick, President of the Senate
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on May 24, 2023, by a
		rising vote.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate