Changes

[[Oklahoma]], [[United States|USA]]​

[[Oklahoma]], [[United States|USA]]​

| death_date=September 8, 2007 (aged 97)​

| death_date=September 8, 2007 (aged 97)​

| death_place=[[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]], USA ​

| death_place=[[Laredo]], [[Texas]], USA ​

| spouse= Sue Spivey Killam​

| spouse= Sue Spivey Killam​<br>

| children= David Killam<br>Adrian Kathleen Killam<br>​

David Winfield Killam<br>Adrian Kathleen Killam<br>​

Tracy Killam DiLeo<br>​

Tracy Killam DiLeo<br>​

Terry Killam Wilber (deceased)​<br>

Terry Killam Wilber (died 1989)​<br>

'''Parents''':<br>

'''Parents''':<br>

[[Oliver Winfield Killam]]<br>​

[[Oliver Winfield Killam]]<br>​

==Background==

==Background==

Killam was born in Grove in Delaware County in northeastern [[Oklahoma]] to [[Oliver Winfield Killam]] and the former Harriet "Hattie" Smith (1876–1949). Oliver Killam was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1911 to 1914 and the state Senate from 1915 to 1918. He worked for statehood of the former [[Oklahoma Territory]] and [[Indian Territory]].<ref name=KillamCos>{{cite web|url=https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/02543.xml|title = History of the Killam Companies|publisher = The Killam Companies|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref>​

Killam was born in Grove in Delaware County in northeastern [[Oklahoma]] to [[Oliver Winfield Killam]] and the former Harriet "Hattie" Smith (1876–1949). Oliver Killam was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1911 to 1914 and the state Senate from 1915 to 1918. He worked for statehood of the former [[Oklahoma Territory]] and [[Indian Territory]].<ref name=KillamCos>{{cite web|url=https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/02543.xml|title = History of the Killam Companies|publisher = The Killam Companies|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref>​

 

Oliver Killam moved with his wife and three children, to Laredo in 1920, when Radcliffe was ten years of age. His father had come to south Texas to prospect for [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] on mineral leases that he had acquired while in business in Oklahoma. The third Killam well brought about an oil boom in Mirando City in eastern Webb County in 1921, nearly a decade before the better known East Texas Oil Boom centered about Kilgore.  Killam grew up in the oil fields and spent his summers on the rigs.<ref name=KillamCos /> He graduated in 1932 from Laredo High School, since named Martin High School. He played on the former Laredo [[polo]] team and was a consummate horseman, who never complained, even when being thrown from a horse.<ref name=leaves_mark>Tricia Cortez, "Killam leaves mark on city," ''Laredo Morning Times,''September 11, 2007.</ref> Killam graduated from the [[University of Texas at Austin]] and a [[Harvard Law School]].<ref name=LMTobit>Radcliffe Killam obituary, ''Laredo Morning Times,'' September 10, 2007.</ref>​

Oliver Killam moved with his wife and three children, to Laredo in 1920, when Radcliffe was ten years of age. His father had come to south Texas to prospect for [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] on mineral leases that he had acquired while in business in Oklahoma. The third Killam well brought about an oil boom in Mirando City in eastern Webb County in 1921, nearly a decade before the better known East Texas Oil Boom centered about Kilgore.  Killam grew up in the oil fields and spent his summers on the rigs.<ref name=KillamCos /> He graduated in 1932 from Laredo High School, since named Martin High School. He played on the former Laredo [[polo]] team and was a consummate horseman, who never complained, even when being thrown from a horse.<ref name=leaves_mark>Tricia Cortez, "Killam leaves mark on city," ''Laredo Morning Times,''September 11, 2007.</ref> Killam graduated from the [[University of Texas at Austin]] and a [[Harvard Law School]].<ref name=LMTobit>Radcliffe Killam obituary, ''Laredo Morning Times,'' September 10, 2007.</ref>​

 

After Harvard, Killam returned to Laredo to work with his father. In 1942, he enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. He served first in the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and then was the commanding officer of a [[PT boat]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. He left the Navy in 1945 with the rank of lieutenant commander.<ref name=LMTobit />​

After Harvard, Killam returned to Laredo to work with his father. In 1942, he enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. He served first in the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and then was the commanding officer of a [[PT boat]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. He left the Navy in 1945 with the rank of lieutenant commander.<ref name=LMTobit />​

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==Philanthropy==​

==Career==​

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After the war, Killam returned once again to Laredo with his wife, the former Sue Spivey (1919-2019) of [[Sam Rayburn]]'s Bonham in Fannin County in east Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/sue-killam-obituary?pid=194590719|title=Sue Killam obituary|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref> Killam resumed working in the oil business but found much time as well for his family and his community.<ref name=LMTobit />​

After the war, Killam returned once again to Laredo with his wife, the former Sue Spivey (1919-2019) of [[Sam Rayburn]]'s Bonham in Fannin County in east Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/sue-killam-obituary?pid=194590719|title=Sue Killam obituary|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref> Killam resumed working in the oil business but found much time as well for his family and his community.<ref name=LMTobit/>​

 

In 1947, Oliver Killam purchased the 80,000-acre Ortiz Ranch, which Radcliffe continued to develop. He founded the Mil Ojos ("Thousand Eyes") Hunting Club on his ranch. He was one of the first landowners in Texas to implement a game management program. He was instrumental in the creation of Lake Casa Blanca as a [[reservoir]] for the City of Laredo and gave an easement for much of the land that it covers.<ref name=leaves_mark /> The lake is now a part of Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_casa_blanca/ | title = Lake Casa Blanca International State Park | work = State Parks & Destinations | publisher =Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | date=February 9, 2007|accessdate=February 12, 2008}}</ref>​

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He received many awards over the years that recognized his civic and business contributions. In 1952, Killam headed the birthday celebration of [[George Washington]], a ten day event in mid-February. He was "Mr. South Texas" in 1978; his father had held the same title in 1956.<ref name=KillamCos /> ​

Killam was the director of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, renamed the Texas Oil & Gas Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the All-American Wildcatters Association, and the Southwest Research Institute. He was also a director of Alamo National Bank.<ref name=leaves_mark />​

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Much of Killam's philanthropy was given privately. According to his banking colleague Gary Jacobs, "His charitable contributions were always anonymous. He never wanted publicity or recognition. He was a very loyal person to his friends and the institutions he supported."<ref name=oil_giant>Julian Aguilar, "Oil giant dies; Radcliffe Killam always loved his hometown," ''Laredo Morning Times,'' September 9, 2007.​

Much of Killam's philanthropy was given privately. According to his banking colleague Gary Jacobs, "His charitable contributions were always anonymous. He never wanted publicity or recognition. He was a very loyal person to his friends and the institutions he supported."<ref name=oil_giant>Julian Aguilar, "Oil giant dies; Radcliffe Killam always loved his hometown," ''Laredo Morning Times,'' September 9, 2007.​

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Killam also supported Laredo Medical Center, formerly the [[Roman Catholic]]-affiliated Mercy Hospital. He gave to the  University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]. The Killams gave some $500,000 to the University of Texas Health Science Center at [[San Antonio]]. They also gave to their common alma mater, UT Austin. They once gave a $50,000 matching grant to save the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra from disbanding.<ref name=leaves_mark /><ref name=oil_giant />​

Killam also supported Laredo Medical Center, formerly the [[Roman Catholic]]-affiliated Mercy Hospital. He gave to the  University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]. The Killams gave some $500,000 to the University of Texas Health Science Center at [[San Antonio]]. They also gave to their common alma mater, UT Austin. They once gave a $50,000 matching grant to save the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra from disbanding.<ref name=leaves_mark /><ref name=oil_giant />​

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In 1947, Oliver Killam purchased the 80,000-acre Ortiz Ranch, which Radcliffe continued to develop. He founded the Mil Ojos ("Thousand Eyes") Hunting Club on his ranch. He was one of the first landowners in Texas to implement a game management program. He was instrumental in the creation of Lake Casa Blanca as a [[reservoir]] for the City of Laredo and gave an easement for much of the land that it covers.<ref name=leaves_mark /> The lake is now a part of Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_casa_blanca/ | title = Lake Casa Blanca International State Park | work = State Parks & Destinations | publisher = [[Texas Parks and Wildlife Department]] | date = 2007-02-09 | accessdate = 2008-02-12 }}</ref>​

==Family and death==​

Killam was the director of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, renamed the Texas Oil & Gas Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the All-American Wildcatters Association, and the Southwest Research Institute. He was also a director of Alamo National Bank.<ref name=leaves_mark />​

==Family==​

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Killam died at home. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Patricia Louise Killam Hurd (1915–1955).<ref>Killam family grave markers, Laredo City Cemetery</ref> He was [[cremation|cremated]]. No individual marker was placed at the family plot. ​

Killam died at home. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Patricia Louise Killam Hurd (1915–1955).<ref>Killam family grave markers, Laredo City Cemetery</ref> He was [[cremation|cremated]]. No individual marker was placed at the family plot. ​

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Radcliffe and Sue Killam had a son, David Winfield Killam of Laredo, and two daughters, Adrian Kathleen Killam and Tracy Killam DiLeo, both of [[Austin]]. At the time of his death, Killam had four grandsons. There was also a deceased daughter, Terry Killam Wilber,<ref name=LMTobit />​ who later called herself "Treya." While on her honeymoor with Ken Wilber, she found a cancerous growth. She live five years longer with stage 4 [[breast]] cancer but died in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://integral-life-landing-pages.s3.amazonaws.com/KWfootnotes/KW_footnotes_vol2.html|title=Ken Wilber Life Footnotes Vol. 2: Treya's Story|publisher=integral-life-landing|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref>?

Radcliffe and Sue Killam had a son, David Winfield Killam of Laredo, and two daughters, Adrian Kathleen Killam and Tracy Killam DiLeo, both of [[Austin]]. At the time of his death, Killam had four grandsons. There was also a deceased daughter, Terry Killam Wilber,<ref name=LMTobit />​ who later called herself "Treya." While on her honeymoor with Ken Wilber, she found a cancerous growth. She live five years longer with stage 4 [[breast]] cancer but died in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://integral-life-landing-pages.s3.amazonaws.com/KWfootnotes/KW_footnotes_vol2.html|title=Ken Wilber Life Footnotes Vol. 2: Treya's Story|publisher=integral-life-landing|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}</ref>?

==References==

==References==