An oil tycoon sold his company for $26 billion this year — but died before the deal closed

• Autry Stephens agreed to sell his company for $26 billion in cash and stock in February.
• The oil tycoon was set to become one of the world's 100 richest people, but he died this month.
• Stephens wasn't fussed about lavish living, and his family will still profit if the deal closes.

Autry Stephens struck a deal in February that would have made him America's richest oilman and one of the world's 100 wealthiest people — but died before it closed.