Personalities: Big John

John McCandish King is a storybook example of the go-getting American entrepreneur, a man who is willing to take the big risk to get the big reward and knows how to use technology and the tax laws. Starting with a $1,500 investment in an Oklahoma oil-drilling venture, he has amassed a personal fortune recently estimated at $480 million. Though the stock-market skid has somewhat deflated his holdings, he does not have to worry where his next oil well is coming from. At 43, he is a big bear of a man—6 ft. 3...

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