Original owner of Valley Morning Star, KGBT dies

HARLINGEN - McHenry Taylor Tichenor Sr., a radio broadcasting pioneer and a developer of the Hispanic radio industry in the United States and the man behind a dream to bring a National Football League franchise to the Rio Grande Valley, died Saturday of natural causes. He was 76.

"Mac Tichenor was an intelligent man and his family was a pioneer of the Valley," Frank Boggus, Tichenor's childhood friend and owner of Boggus Ford, said. "He had great aspirations of bringing an NFL team to the Valley but never did get to finish."

Tichenor, whose family owned a media empire that once included the Valley Morning Star, grew up in Harlingen, earned a BBA degree from the University of Texas at Austin and returned to the Valley after earning a law degree in 1956 to work in his family's broadcasting business.

He worked in sales at Tichenor Media Systems and later managed the company's Spanish radio and CBS television station, both of which operated under the KGBT call letters. He became president of TMS in 1967 at the age of 35 and spearheaded company expansion in Spanish and English media.

"He was a good friend who was very community spirited," said former Harlingen Mayor Bill Card. "He took a lead in many initiatives in Harlingen and the Valley and was widely respected by the business community. He will be sadly missed and our prayers go out to the entire family. He was a good man."

TMS merged with Heftel Broadcasting in 1997 in a move that made it the nation's largest Hispanic radio group with 38 stations spanning every major Hispanic market in the U.S. In a $3.1 billion deal in 2004 HBC merged with Univision Communications.

"He was a brilliant fellow, loved life, was a man that everyone enjoyed being with and was a born leader like his father," Lloyd Pratt, Tichenor's childhood friend and owner of Pratt Insurance in Harlingen, said.

In his final years, Tichenor fought to bring an NFL football team to the Rio Grande Valley despite speculation that the $1.5 billion plan would never take off.

"A lot of people doubt the Valley can do what I say it can do," Tichenor said in a 2006 interview with the Star.

The father of five had a strong faith throughout his life and practiced quiet philanthropy.

He was survived by long-time companion Priscilla Flores, five children and numerous grandchildren.

Graveside services are scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito. Memorial donations may be made to Frank Ferree Border Relief at 2403 N. 7th St. Harlingen, TX, 78550-3909. Friends and relatives are invited to sign guest books or leave condolences at www.buckashcraft.com and http://legacy.com/ValleyStar/Obituaries.asp. Arrangements are being handled through Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.