Interviewer(s): A. Anand. Houma, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Lucy and Esmiel "Dee" DeHart were referred to me by Audrey and Maudrey Bergeron as having a room available in their Bed and Breakfast, which it turns out is two of the three rooms of their home. Mr. Dee had spent many years in the oilpatch, and both he and Ms Lucy seemed interested in the project, suggesting many other people with whom I could speak.

Mr. Esmiel DeHart was born in September 1931. He first started working the oilpatch in 1952 with Texaco, where he became a boat captain three months after starting. In 1957 he moved to Cenac Towing, and then he went to McDermott in 1962 where he drove a bus. In 1965 he moved to become a boat captain again at Halliburton. In 1983 he had back surgery and got leave for a year. He continued to work at Halliburton until his retirement in 1990, during his five back surgeries and cancer. Mr. Dee was also a Deputy Sheriff from 1955 to 1972.