Resource Type

Transcript of Oral History Interview with Homer James "Jim" Avery, August 14, 2008 (open access)

Transcript of Oral History Interview with Homer James "Jim" Avery, August 14, 2008

Interview with Homer James "Jim" Avery, founder of James Avery Craftsman from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Avery discusses his childhood, education, service in World War II, and starting and developing his jewelry business. The interview includes photographs of Mr. Avery, on pages 35-41.
Date: August 14, 2008
Creator: Collins, Francelle Robison; Webb, Jeanie Archer; Leonard, Julie Mosty & Avery, Homer James
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thornton Secor, September 27, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thornton Secor, September 27, 2000

Interview with Thornton Secor, grandson of a prominent local doctor, from Kerrville, Texas. Thornton talks about how his grandfather ended up in the area and his various contributions to Kerrville, such as building the town's first hospital and establishing a tourist campsite. Thornton also briefly mentions the flood of 1932, and rainfall in the area.
Date: September 27, 2000
Creator: Snodgrass, Clarabelle; Bethel, Ann & Secor, Thornton
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack and Frances Real Stevens, January 31, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jack and Frances Real Stevens, January 31, 2001

Interview with Jack and Frances Real Stevens, a ranching and former Navy couple from Kerrville, Texas. The couple describes their individual childhoods, growing up in town and on a ranch, as well as their travels around the world. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens also discuss their involvement with the Kerrville community. The interview includes a history of the Kerrville German Dance Club, on pages 2-4.
Date: January 31, 2001
Creator: Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle; Stevens, Jack & Stevens, Frances Real
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Carl Clay, May 7, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Carl Clay, May 7, 2002

Interview with Carl Clay, a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Persian Gulf War, who also served in the civil wars in Lebanon, Kosovo, and Somalia. Clay describes his time working in aviation on the flight deck of ships and the many countries he visited while in the service, such as Brazil, Spain, and Cuba.
Date: April 15, 2003
Creator: DeVore, Danielle & Clay, Carl
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Donaldson, April 14, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Donaldson, April 14, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Donaldson. Donaldson talks about how the Great Depression affected his family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and provides details of his training. He traveled aboard the USS Buckingham (APA-141). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, which he describes along with his responsibilities with work parties unloading and reloading ships. He assisted with trading out old ammunition for new ammunition. He was transferred to the John Rodgers Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked on the Martin Mars seaplanes, repairing and test flying them. He also flew C-54s and the J-3 Piper Cub and shares his experiences. He spent the remainder of his Navy career in Hawaii and was discharged in August of 1946 and joined the reserves. While in the service he made storekeeper 3rd class. In the 1950s he was commissioned into the Air Force.
Date: April 14, 2009
Creator: Donaldson, Albert
System: The Portal to Texas History