America lost a great man this week.
The Dallas Morning News reported that wealthy oil tycoon, financier, and generous philanthropist T. Boone Pickens passed away at his home in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday. He was 91.
Oil mogul dead at 91
According to The Dallas Morning News, Pickens died peacefully of natural causes, concluding a rough final few years for the oil mogul that included a series of small strokes in 2016 and a serious fall in 2017 that put him in the hospital and out of the public eye for some time as he recovered.
Pickens is survived by his five children, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for next week at Pickens’ home church. He will be buried at his beloved alma mater, Oklahoma State University (OSU) — specifically, at the Karsten Creek Golf Club, where the OSU golf team plays.
Rising the ranks
Pickens was born near the start of the Great Depression in the small eastern Oklahoma town of Holdenville, where he revealed his business acumen early on when he took a job as a newspaper delivery boy. He expanded his “operation” by acquiring other delivery routes that surrounded his, according to the Morning News, ultimately making some serious money for a young kid at that time — roughly $38 per month.
After first enrolling at Texas A&M, Pickens transferred to Oklahoma State University — then known as Oklahoma A&M — after he lost a basketball scholarship. Working as a roughneck on an oil field while attending school, he ended up graduating from OSU with a degree in geology in 1951 and entered the oil industry, creating what ultimately became one of the largest energy producers in the country: Mesa Petroleum.
In the 1980s, Pickens shifted slightly from his focus on energy production and became something of a “corporate raider” by acquiring other businesses, making friends and enemies and becoming a billionaire somewhere along the way.
A lifetime of genorosity
Pickens was not a billionaire when he died, however. He died with an estimated wealth around $500 million — but that wasn’t due to any bad business decisions or economic hardships.
Rather, Pickens had made it point to give away his fortunes. He reportedly donated more than $1 billion throughout his life, the bulk of which went to OSU.
Pickens also used his wealth to help the GOP. He supported former President Ronald Reagan in 1980, and donated $10 million to help underwrite part of Reagan’s presidential library. Pickens also supported former President George W. Bush and provided the funding behind the infamous “Swift Boat Veteran” ad campaign against Bush’s 2004 challenger, John Kerry.
T. Boone Pickens was a great man who made a great fortune and then did even greater things with it. His generosity will be sorely missed.
802 Responses
Hey there! I simply want to give you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you have got here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Hi there, I do believe your blog may be having web browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent blog!
I like it when folks come together and share views. Great blog, keep it up!
Great article. I am facing a few of these issues as well..
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal site now 😉
You are a very bright person!
Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific site.
ufabet
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, thanks . “Success doesn’t come to you…you go to it.” by Marva Collins.
A lot of thanks for each of your efforts on this site. My aunt delights in doing investigation and it is easy to understand why. We learn all concerning the lively form you offer worthwhile guidelines by means of your web site and even strongly encourage response from other people on that matter plus our own simple princess is truly starting to learn so much. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. Your conducting a pretty cool job.
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Cheers
Parties can be challenging to put together. Especially during the Halloween season. So how can you make the perfect party no matter the season or your theme?
Very good info. Lucky me I found your website by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
This is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!
You’re so awesome! I do not suppose I have read through anything like that before. So wonderful to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
You should take part in a contest for one of the most useful websites on the web. I am going to recommend this site!
marketing visual production companies near me
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?
arts and craft kids
countries that do need lots of financial aids are those coming from Africa. i could only wish that their lives would become better`
Parties can be challenging to put together. Especially during the Halloween season. So how can you make the perfect party no matter the season or your theme
I do consider all the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for beginners. May you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.
Hello, I think your website could possibly be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent website!
seksi chat, chat, seuraa jokaiselle, panotreffit
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the future too. In fact your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog going now. Actually blogging is spreading its wings and growing fast. Your write up is a good example.
Thank you so much for providing individuals with an exceptionally wonderful possiblity to read critical reviews from this web site. It really is so superb and also jam-packed with a good time for me personally and my office co-workers to search your blog not less than 3 times in a week to read through the fresh issues you have got. Not to mention, I am just certainly amazed concerning the terrific creative concepts you give. Selected 3 ideas in this article are completely the most impressive we’ve had.
Tampa video production Tampa marketing
Nice post. I find out something more difficult on distinct blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to learn to read content using their company writers and exercise a specific thing from their store. I’d would prefer to apply certain together with the content in this little weblog whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link on your web blog. Thank you for sharing.
Absolutely indited articles , Really enjoyed reading .
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!|
Hi, do you have a facebook fan page for your blog?”;~–
May I just say what a comfort to discover a person that truly understands what they are discussing on the net. You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people have to read this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular since you most certainly possess the gift.
Can you tell us more about this? I’d want to find out more details.
MadcoW makes high end handmade custom leather dog collars with a lifetime warranty.
Great article and right to the point. I don’t know if this is truly the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to get some professional writers? Thx 🙂
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.
seksi chat, chat, seuraa jokaiselle, panotreffit
Thank you a lot for providing individuals with remarkably splendid possiblity to read critical reviews from this blog. It is usually very enjoyable and as well , jam-packed with amusement for me personally and my office fellow workers to search your website nearly three times in one week to read through the newest guides you will have. And definitely, I’m usually pleased concerning the great things served by you. Selected 1 facts in this article are indeed the most effective we’ve ever had.