We are greatly saddened by the loss of Charles Beggs Moncrief, whose legacy and incredible impact will live on forever. He is a member of the Moncrief family, who have been philanthropic trailblazers in making a better world.
Mr. Moncrief passed away on January 6, 2021. He was the grandson of the renowned W.A. “Monty” Moncrief and Elizabeth Bright Moncrief and was the son of W.A. “Tex” Moncrief Jr. and Deborah Beggs Moncrief. W.A. “Tex” Moncrief Jr. served as a Trustee on the Board of Southwestern Medical Foundation for many years and remains an Honorary Trustee today.
Charles’ wife of 40 years, Kit Tennison Moncrief, currently serves on the Board of Southwestern Medical Foundation. The couple have been stalwart supporters of health care in Texas. Celia Moncrief Browning, their daughter, is a founding member of The Cary Council, a group of emerging leaders dedicated to creating a greater awareness of the important missions of Southwestern Medical Foundation and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
“It is impossible to capture in words the tremendous impact Charles Moncrief and his family have had on the well-being of our region. His is a story of leadership and generosity that inspires me and many others.”
Kathleen M. Gibson, President and CEO of Southwestern Medical Foundation
In 1967, Charles Moncrief graduated from Culver Military Academy before continuing his education at both the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Christian University, where he earned his degree in geology. Service was a core belief shaping Mr. Moncrief’s life. In the early days of his career, he served in the United States Marine Corps. Afterwards, he supported his family’s business endeavors, working for Moncrief Oil, Montex Drilling Company, and Moncrief Ranches. Mr. Moncrief had a storied career as an oilman and remained devoted to working with his father, W.A. “Tex” Moncrief Jr., to grow the family’s businesses. He was also deeply devoted to the family business of philanthropy.
He served on the boards of Texas Christian University, Culver Military Academy, State Fair of Texas, Saving Hope Foundation, and the Moncrief Foundation. He was a proud lifelong member of the All American Wildcatters.
Charles Beggs Moncrief and His Support of Cancer Care and Research
Contributions, leadership, and support from the Moncrief family continues to pave the way toward greater progress in cancer research.
In 1966, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. “Tex” Moncrief Jr. added a generous gift to a matching federal grant to expand a radiation facility, and in only a decade, it developed into one of the top radiation centers in the Southwest. In 1979, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. “Tex” Moncrief Jr. made an additional contribution of $2.5 million for another major expansion. The following year, in recognition of the unwavering support from the Moncrief family, the new facility was dedicated as the Moncrief Radiation Center in 1980.
In 1999, the administration of the Moncrief Radiation Center was transferred to UT Southwestern, which allowed for continued expansion and growth. At that time, the physical plant and equipment were valued at $30 million, and the Moncrief Foundation’s endowment had grown to $60 million. Together, the $90 million donation represented the largest single philanthropic gift ever received by a university or medical center in Texas.
The Moncrief Radiation Center was renamed the Moncrief Cancer Institute and was one of the first community radiation facilities in the country. In 2012, the Moncrief Cancer Institute relocated to a new, $22 million, 60,000 square foot building in Fort-Worth, where it offers genetic and nutritional counseling, mammography, telemedicine, and support services for cancer prevention and post-cancer treatment, as well as several clinical services.
In 2002, UT Southwestern formally announced the Innovations in Medicine capital campaign after the campaign’s quiet phase had raised $170 million in pledges and donations. This included a gift of $7.5 million from Mr. and Mrs. W.A. “Tex” Moncrief Jr.
Early donations to the Innovations in Medicine campaign were used in part to facilitate the construction of a new biomedical research building at UT Southwestern. Campaign gifts also helped fund and create the Moncrief Radiation Oncology Center and enabled the recruitment of new chairs in Neurology, Psychiatry, Cardiology, Anesthesiology, Radiation Therapy, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine.