Interviewer(s): E. Bernier. Point-Aux-Chenes, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

I got Mr. Raymond Dupre's name from Clyde Hahn in Patterson. Raymond agreed to talk about his work in the oil industry, but both he and his wife made sure I knew that they were not going to say anything negative about Exxon. Raymond has an extremely thick bayou accent that is difficult to understand at times. He was jovial and welcoming, and after the interview began his wife, Anna Mae, warmed up and began making comments as well.

Mr. Dupre was born in 1928 in Terrebonne Parish; he's lived in the same vicinity his whole life as well. Raymond began work in the sugar refinery where his father was employed and then was hired in 1952 by Humble Oil to work as a janitor on one of the company's quarterboats. After a couple of years he went to work on wildcat rig. When the rig was shut down in 1966, he moved to production. He began as a roustabout and worked his way up to pumper and then mechanic. He retired in 1986 when the company offered packages to many of its employees.