South Texas border mourns native son Kris Kristofferson

McALLEN, Texas ( Border Report ) — The recent death of actor and singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson is being felt on the South Texas border where he was born and often returned to visit.

Kristofferson died Saturday at his home in Maui, Hawaii, at the age of 88 .

He was born on June 22, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas.

It’s there that he wrote his first song that ultimately led to the release of his first album “Kristofferson,” which was renamed “Me and Bobby McGee” in 1970 and became a Billboard Country Music Top 10 album.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr., says Kristofferson was a favorite son of the Rio Grande Valley.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Kris Kristofferson. Kristofferson’s very public affection for Brownsville and the time he spent here as a child will be cherished. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and fans throughout the world. May he rest in peace,” Treviño said in a statement Tuesday.

He was born into a military family stationed on the South Texas border and always returned to his roots, Treviño said.

Kristofferson repeatedly said “that Brownsville, Texas, was his favorite place on the planet. While he and his family moved around, they always returned to Brownsville,” Treviño’s office said.

Kristofferson was a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor who starred with Barbra Streisand in the 1976 hit “A Star Is Born.”

His most famous songs included: “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “For the Good Times” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”

He was a man of many noteworthy talents and contributions including being a Golden Gloves boxer, Army Ranger, rugby star and football player, and helicopter pilot.

Treviño said Kristofferson’s dedication to Cameron County and Brownsville brought notoriety to the Rio Grande Valley.

Treviño plans to honor Kristofferson with a resolution at the Oct. 8 Cameron County Commissioner’s Court meeting.

The county and City of Brownsville’s Riverfront development project also plan to host an upcoming Cultural Revival and Musical Revue District featuring the Kris Kristofferson Events Park,

The Kris Kristofferson County Porch and the Kristofferson Butik which will offer paraphernalia officially authorized, designed and licensed by the Kristofferson family, Treviño’s office said.

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