F.O. Masten was a long-time Texas landowner and cotton farmer. A prominent Texas rancher and long-time friend of Don H. Morris and B. Sherrod, Masten served on ACU's first development fund as co-chairman and made frequent donations to ACU in the form of cotton bales. Masten owned land in Lamb, Oldham, Collingsworth, Bailey, Castro, Harris and Cochran counties, some part of the Panhandle land originally set aside in the Texas Constitution of 1876 to fund construction of the Texas capitol.
At the time of his death Jan. 8, 1980, at the age of 89, he was one of the largest landowners in Texas with 111,310 acres in six counties, $1,055,198 in five banks across Texas, and a cattle and cotton empire valued between $12 million and $50 million. His will, written Oct. 28, 1979, while in the hospital in Lubbock and given to Dr. John C. Stevens, along with notes of instructions for any who contested the will, awarded to Abilene Christian "all I have in this world."
After Masten's death in 1980, ACU and the Masten family equally divided Masten’s mineral rights. The family received cultivated farmland, equipment and personal property. The university received livestock and ranchland in Oldham and Cochran counties, including half interest in 19 gas wells and 97 oil wells.
Masten and his wife of more than 50 years, Lilly B. McCorkle, had one child who died in infancy. Lilly died in 1967. Active in his community, Masten donated land for a building for the Sudan Church of Christ, paying for its carpet and pews. He also aided local 4-H Club students, sponsored school events, built sports stadiums and helped many Spanish-speaking youths learn English.
Related Links