Much loved Texas news anchor Kris Radcliffe has died suddenly. According to KCEN 5 News, his family is seeking privacy and his wife released a statement on Facebook through her sister. Radcliffe was 51

“On behalf of my sister, she wanted me to relay to you our profound thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love and support for her girls, their girls, and families,” her Eden Radcliffe’s sister Libby wrote. “She’s receiving and reading your texts and posts, but it’s simply too difficult to respond at this time.”KCEN released its own statement on the passing, noting just how beloved Radcliffe had become to his community in Central Texas.

“KCEN and the Central Texas community lost a truly wonderful person,” KCEN President and GM Rob Dwyer said. “Kris Radcliffe, husband, father, grandfather, and anchor for KCEN and the community will be missed. Kris was a kind and generous person who elevated everyone he was around. It is hard to say goodbye.”

Radcliffe had been with KCEN for over 20 years, starting in 2002 as the station’s sports anchor. He then became the morning anchor for Texas Today, holding that for nearly a decade before jumping to the evening anchor position