Gjemre, Ken 1984-02-28

From SWC Oral History Collection
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Ken Gjemre discusses the Unitarian Church, his work in a local retirement community and his experiences as founder of Half Price Books.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Ken Gjemre

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: February 28, 1984

Location: Dallas, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Reverend Jim Wilkes; Unitarian Church, Succeeds Reverend Bob Rable 1963, Vietnam War, Protestors, North Texas Association Unitarian Universal Society, Problems, Church and alcoholism, Dr. Rable minister, Work with Rabbi Levi Owen, Progressive ideas, Death; 1983, Leadership role, Rable Place, Program 236 Department of Housing and Urban Development 1969, Unitarian sponsorship of low income housing, Successes and failures, Unitarian Universalist Retirement and Retreat Association of the Southwest, Inc. (U2 R2), Purchase of land, Gerontology studies.

Tape 1, Side 2: Rable Place (again), Staff, Residents, Problems, U2 R2 (again), Problems, Running for Texas House seat 1976, State government views on housing, Special interest groups, Apathy relative to state and local politics, Loss of sense of community, Book store business 1971, Founding of new political party 1972, New Hampshire primary, Half Price Books.

Tape 2, Side 1: Half Price Books (continued), Location, Expansion, Types of materials, Profitability, Expansion (again).

Tape 2, Side 2: Half Price Books (continued), Management philosophy, Profit sharing, East Dallas Community Design Committee, Service on Texas State Barber Board, Observations relative to Texas Politics.

Range Dates: 1969-1983

Bulk Dates: 1969-1983

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.