Oscar Sherman Wyatt Jr.

Oscar Sherman Wyatt, Jr., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the 8th of October 2025, at the tender age of 101. He was born in Beaumont, Texas on 11th of July 1924 to Eva Coday Wyatt and Oscar S. Wyatt, Sr.

Mr. Wyatt grew up in Navasota, Texas, where he was a star tackle for the Navasota Rattlers, earning him a full scholarship to the nearby Texas A & M University in College Station. His education was interrupted by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, when he volunteered to join the U.S. Army at age 17. Having flown crop dusters for nearby cotton farmers, Oscar was a licensed pilot and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He served with distinction in the Pacific Theater, flew B-25 bombers, and survived multiple plane crashes. On one occasion, he was presumed dead, covered with a white sheet, and transported with deceased service members until discovered alive. After the surrender of Japan and the cessation of hostilities, he received an honorable discharge from the Air Corps as a Captain with many distinguished military decorations and awards. Through proceeds Mr. Wyatt earned by cotton farming, he was able to resume his studies at Texas A&M University, where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He went to the oilfields of South Texas, where he started at the bottom as a drill bit salesman, learning every oil and gas field in the region. In 1950, using his black 1949 Ford 2-door coupe as collateral, Mr. Wyatt borrowed $800 from a bank in Corpus Christi, Texas. With the loan, he started the Hardly Able Oil Company, which later became Coastal States Gas Producing Co., and ultimately grew to become the Coastal Corporation. The energy company had consolidated assets of $15 billion and over 12,000 employees. Oscar attended almost every OPEC meeting abroad, gathering with countless ministers and heads of state. He flew to virtually every oil producing capitol in the world. In addition to his international business affairs, he created one of the largest natural gas pipeline systems in the United States, all while acquiring strategic refineries to accommodate his oil supply. Eventually, he merged the Coastal Corporation with El Paso Corporation in 2002, only to see the company’s debt rating plunge to “junk” status. Always an advocate for responsible corporate governance, as opposed to corporate greed, Mr. Wyatt lead a 2003 shareholder proxy battle and class action lawsuit against El Paso, where he alleged irregular accounting practices, such as those of the now defunct Enron. Shortly thereafter, he founded a new wildcatter oil and gas venture in the Far East, which later became Coastal Energy. That company was sold in 2014, with assets exceeding $2.2 billion dollars. He then focused his attention on his beloved Wyatt Ranches, where his direction and oversight continued until his passing.

In the early 1960’s, Mr. Wyatt purchased a ranch in both Kenedy and Hidalgo Counties, named El Wyparco. In 1965, he began a professional cattle operation and subsequently purchased rangeland in Duval County. This land is now the Tasajillo Division of Wyatt Ranches. Under his leadership, Wyatt Ranches expanded to include five cattle ranching divisions scattered across some seven counties in South and West Texas, as well as commercial land holdings in Colorado, and ancillary assets in six other South Texas counties. In addition to his passion for cattle ranching, Oscar loved the outdoors. He was an avid North American big game enthusiast, who loved to hunt whitetail deer in South Texas, elk in the Rocky Mountains, and white wing dove in Mexico. He had a hunter’s patience and an athlete’s aim. In the 1960’s, Mr. Wyatt also discovered a love for speckled trout fishing in Baffin Bay, as well as an admiration for sailboats. He won numerous awards for competitive sailing races from Texas to Mexico. He was also a charter member of the Corpus Christi Yacht Club, where family members still gather today for special occasions.

For all his achievements, what people will remember most, is his big heart. Mr. Wyatt had a deep compassion that showed up in countless acts of quiet benevolence and generosity. He would pay the hospital bills of someone whom he didn’t know, such as a badly burned ship captain whom he happened to read about. Oscar was also known for making anonymous gifts to others in need. In addition, every Christmas, he would send out thousands of smoked turkeys to all of his employees, not as a corporate paid gesture, but as a genuine and personal expression of thanks. Oscar never forgot where he came from, and he never let success make him forget about people. His benevolence still inspires and guides the Wyatt Ranches Foundation today.

Throughout Oscar’s life journey, his loving wife of 62 years, Lynn, guided him through both turbulent and successful times. Although Oscar was described as, “the real J. R. Ewing of Texas,” Lynn brought grace, poise, and civility, combined with philanthropic kindness, to the marriage.

There can be no discussion that Mr. Wyatt lived a colorful and well-rounded life. In 1990, Mr. Wyatt, along with former Texas Governor John Connally, negotiated the release of American and other foreign hostages being held in Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait. Expounding upon his captivating life story, he was jailed on two occasions in Texas. Once in 1960 for disturbing the peace in Abilene; and again in 2005, when he was charged with violating US economic sanctions against Iraq. He consequently served nine months in a prison camp near Beaumont.

Having twice recovered from injuries sustained in wartime service to his country, Mr. Wyatt was honored by the US Army Air Corps, and also by the Republic of the Philippines. In 1994, during the 50th anniversary and reenactment of General McArthur’s landing in Philippines, he was recognized for his bravery in battle. During the ceremony, Oscar’s emotions overwhelmed him. Tears flowed freely as he stood on the ground he once fought to liberate. In 2021, his wartime service as a military pilot was again acknowledged when he was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. Although he was honored with many accolades for his expertise in petroleum and ranching, he was especially proud of a lifetime achievement award he received for his advocacy of civil rights in South Texas. That honor was bestowed upon him just last year and given by the founding chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens in Corpus Christi, Texas. A video tribute detailing his life was prepared for the 2024 LULAC civil rights honor and may be viewed at www.wyattranches.com under the Founder’s Video Tribute tab.

Mr. Wyatt is preceded in death by his parents and by his son, the late Carl Wyatt. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lynn Sakowitz Wyatt; his four sons: Steven Wyatt of Houston, Douglas Wyatt and wife, Diana, of Santa Fe; Oscar “Trey” Wyatt III and wife, Mervin, of Aruba; and Bradford Wyatt of Realitos; and a daughter, Christina Kremers-Wyatt. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Steven “Ford” Wyatt and wife, Alexis; and Catherine “Cat” Wyatt; and by his brother-in-law, Robert “Tio Bob” Sakowitz.

In accordance with Mr. Wyatt’s expressed wishes, a funeral service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning, on Wednesday, the 15th of October, at the Wyatt Ranches Cemetery, located at the Tasajillo Division of Wyatt Ranches, 7008 Tasajillo Road in Realitos, Duval County, Texas, where Dr. Wm. “Bill” Heston of the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians is to officiate. The Rite of Committal is to be conducted by the Rev. James Kariuki of St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church of San Diego, Texas.

Immediately following the cemetery service and mausoleum entombment, attendees are invited to gather with the family for a celebration of Oscar’s life during a reception at the Main House of Wyatt Ranches.

In recognition of Oscar’s love of aviation, those desiring to travel by aircraft to attend the services may utilize the adjacent O. S. Wyatt Airport (FAA code 14TS) and telephone 713.877.7701 for aircraft approval and instructions.

For those desiring, contributions in memory of Oscar Wyatt may be directed to the Wyatt Ranches Foundation, P. O. Drawer 10, Realitos, Texas, 78376.