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.