Interviewer(s): J. Piekielek. Grand Bayou, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Dwight Reyes (pronounced Reese) is Myrtle Phillips' older brother and also lives in Grand Bayou. Diane Austin and I had met Dwight the week before while visiting with Myrtle, and had asked if he would be willing to do an interview. He said that he would be, but that he was busy that afternoon doing some work outside. When I returned to Plaquemines Parish, I called Myrtle and she arranged a time to meet with Dwight Reyes. When we arrived, Dwight was outside making repairs to his boat. Myrtle stayed for the interview and Dwight's wife, Teresa, was also present. They kept the television on in the living room while we talked, although it was not distracting. They like to watch one of the cooking channels and sometimes try out the recipes. Teresa had been sick with cancer and may still be; I didn't ask about her current state of health.

Dwight Reyes was born in New Orleans in 1946 and moved to Grand Bayou at the age of five with his family. His father and later he and his brothers were trappers. He began working on boats as a deckhand at the age of eleven. In 1960, he began work for J&J Towing where he stayed for 14 years. Afterward, he worked seven years for Buster Hughes, which laid pipe for oil companies. At both J&J Towing and Buster Hughes, Dwight Reyes worked on boats. Intermittently, he worked as a trapper and trawler. When his children were old enough to walk, Dwight Reyes stopped work for the oil companies, except for occasional jobs, and began work as a full time fisherman.