Billy Joe “Red” McCombs was bigger than Texas. Starting as a car dealer, he branched out into billboards and that turned into the countries biggest media company, and then to pro sports teams. McCombs was also involved in the energy industry, ranching and real estate during his illustrious career. He was the town’s most successful and storied business leader and philanthropist. He stayed active until his last days, recently participating in a decision to buy a major Downtown San Antonio vacant parcel.

McCombs, who was born in Spur, Texas, in 1927 and headed up McCombs Enterprises, was a bold and unapologetic champion of San Antonio and South Texas. In addition to his ownership of the San Antonio Spurs, he co-founded one of the most successful broadcasting companies in the U.S., Clear Channel Communications. The company was later sold and and rebranded as iHeart Radio.

On the philanthropic front, the McCombs Foundation was created in 1998 and has since contributed more than $135 million to a variety of groups and causes.