Interviewer: Jacob Campbell

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Sonny was first contacted during the History II study, referred by Pauline Moniet, but was never interviewed. We met at his home in north Houma. His wife Judy served us coffee and made several comments. He worked for Pure Drilling, which later merged with Union Oil, retiring in 1989. Presently he spends most of his time carving decorative fowl, showing his products at conventions and teaching soap carving to youth around the region.

Mr. Navarre was born in 1929 in Gueydan, LA. Beginning in 1946, he entered the Navy for two years. Afterwards he worked several jobs around St. Louis before returning to Louisiana to begin working for Pure Oil Company. He roustabouted on inland gas field jobs. He was transferred to Houma and took up residence here in 1965 after Pure merged with Union. He worked in production until 1970 when he moved to the drilling department and did jobs both inland and offshore from Alabama to Texas.