Tubbs, Fenner 1995-09-13

Fenner Tubbs provides information on the Tubbs family and his car dealership, the Fenner Tubbs Company, in Lubbock.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Fenner Tubbs

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: September 13, 1995

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Sandra D. Harvey

Length: 1 hour 15 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Background, Parents: Robert Isham and Cora Lee Jones Tubbs, Born: June 18, 1912, Parents married in Kaufman County, Texas, Tubbs family, Grandparents moved to Lubbock (1890s), Description of Lubbock, Grandfather began farming and built home, Hauled lumber from Colorado City, Texas, Tubbs employment, Robert and his brother Oscar opened a Buick dealership, Business failed, Robert Tubbs sold used cars, Robert Isham Tubbs, Born in Kaufman County, Attended first school in Lubbock, Worked as a cowboy for eight or ten years, Met Cora Lee Jones in Lynn County, Married in 1903, Worked for other car dealerships after business failed, Fenner Tubbs, Born at home, Earliest memories of childhood, Description of grandparents’ home, Utilities installed in home, Recollections of grandmother’s cooking, Education, Attended school on 13th Street.

Tape 1, Side 2: Mother’s sister instructed him as a young child, Description of classes, Curriculum taught, Segregation in schools, Graduated from Thompson High School (1929), Texas Technological College, Attended school for two years, Description of campus, Living quarters for students, Employment, Sold Chevrolet cars, Price of cars in 1930s, Later worked for Hub Motor Co., Personal life, Met wife in 1933, Fenner Tubbs Co., Sam Dunn assisted in opening dealership, Number of employees and cars in 1940s, Recollection of first car sold, World War II, Left dealership to train pilots, Loys Tubbs Patterson, his sister, ran the dealership, New cars unavailable, Fenner Tubbs Co. (again), Finance companies loaned money for cars, Boom period in business after war, Business in the 1950s, Aversion to advertising.

Tape 2, Side 1: Emphasis on service, Reluctance to sell foreign cars, Agriculture prices affect car business, Awards received, Changes, Increased state control of business, Reflection, Highpoint of career, Business philosophy.

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1890s-1995

Bulk Dates: 1920-1995

Access Information

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