His son, the father
In “Dallas’s” fifth-season episode “The Phoenix,” J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters Jock’s empty office at Ewing Oil, walks slowly around the desk, grips the back of the chair and then steps toward the old man’s portrait.
J.R.: I’m sorry, Daddy. I let you down. I just flat gave up. Back there at that swamp, you were gone. It was all over. It didn’t seem like there was anything worth going on for for me. And I almost forgot: You left us something. You left us the company. You built Ewing Oil from the ground up. And whatever it took, you did it for Ewing Oil. And I’m going to do the same. I’m going to pass it on bigger and stronger to my son. … I’m back, Daddy. And nobody’s going to take Ewing Oil away from me. Or my son, or his son. I swear to you. By God, I’m going to make you proud of me.
Dallas Decoder 
Remembering a scene like this just makes me more upset that the new series decided to go in the direction they did with the character, by ignoring the reunion movies. I loved how in “J.R. Returns” he was the master manipulator, making everything work exactly how he planned it. But the new show had J.R. all broken down in a nursing home, while Cliff Barnes is now a billionaire. I was holding out hope that the next season would have J.R. get back on top, but now that will never happen.
Hopefully we’ll see J.R. riding high in the saddle during the episodes Larry Hagman filmed before his death. I also share your opinion of “J.R. Returns.” It was fun seeing J.R. back in the role of master manipulator!
Thanks for commenting.
CB