Maurice Woodward “Tex” Ritter embodied the spirit and nostalgia of the American cowboy. Born in Panola County, Texas, he moved to Nederland as a child and grew up in Southeast Texas.

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Ritter began his career in radio and theater, singing on KPRC-AM in Houston and later appearing on Broadway as Cord Elam in Green Grow the Lilacs (1931), the play that became the basis for Oklahoma! He also performed as Sagebrush Charlie in The Round Up (1932) and Mother Lode (1934). By 1932, he was starring in New York City’s first broadcast Western, The Lone Star Rangers, and soon after wrote and performed in Cowboy Tom’s Roundup on WINS-AM, a daily children’s program.

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After moving to California, Ritter appeared in numerous Western films, teaming up with Johnny Mack Brown in The Lone Star Trail (1943), Raiders of San Joaquin (1943), Cheyenne Roundup (1943), and The Old Chisholm Trail (1942). He also starred in Arizona Trail (1943) and Marshal of Gunsmoke (1944). Ritter became the first artist signed to the newly formed Capitol Records, and in 1944 he scored a major hit with “I’m Wastin’ My Tears on You,” which reached No. 1 on the country chart and No. 11 on the pop chart.

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His international presence grew when he toured Europe in 1952 and recorded the title track for High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me). At the first televised Academy Awards ceremony in 1953, Ritter performed “High Noon,” which went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.

A founding member of the Country Music Association, Ritter was instrumental in establishing the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, into which he was inducted in 1964. He moved to Nashville the following year, working with WSM Radio and the Grand Ole Opry. He also appeared as himself in the 1966 film Nashville Rebel, which introduced a then-unknown Waylon Jennings. Ritter continued chart success with his 1967 single “Just Beyond the Moon,” which reached No. 3.

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For his contributions to the recording industry, Ritter earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was also the father of actor John Ritter and the grandfather of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter.

Though he lived in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville, Tex Ritter chose to be laid to rest near his hometown of Nederland at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches, Texas. He is honored as a member of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Music Hall of Fame.