Pickens remembered in Dallas funeral Thursday

Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivers his words of remembrance for T. Boone Pickens during his funeral service at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. An Oklahoma State-colored tie left by longtime friend Alan White is draped across a white floral bouquet, left. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP, Pool)

DALLAS (AP) — T. Boone Pickens was remembered at a Dallas funeral on Thursday for his humor, tenacity and larger-than-life personality.

“Boone was bigger than life. In fact, Boone was bigger than Texas itself,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said at the service at Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Abbott recalled that when Pickens was once asked if he was from Texas or Oklahoma, he replied: “Both.” Abbott said, “Boone was too big to be confined to just one state.”

The brash and quotable oil tycoon who grew even wealthier through corporate takeover attempts died Sept. 11 at the age of 91 at his Dallas home.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told those gathered that when faced with difficulties, Pickens often used humor and tenacity. Jones said that was especially true as Pickens’ health failed near the end of his life.

“Boone would get slapped back. Boy, here he’d come again. He’d get slapped back. He’d call on that humor. He’d call on everything he could. He would inspire the people around him,” Jones said. “Boone was a fourth quarter player. Probably the best fourth quarter player you and I will have ever had the privilege of being on the team with.”

A message Pickens wrote before his death recalling life lessons was posted online Wednesday.