2023S0416-1 05/15/23
 
  By: Campbell, et al. S.R. No. 618
 
 
 
SENATE RESOLUTION
         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 legend and 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.