In 1957, Lower Cameron Parish faced devastation when Hurricane Audrey made landfall between the mouth of the Sabine River and Cameron, Louisiana. Despite the destruction, the people of Cameron Parish demonstrated remarkable resilience in rebuilding their community. One Cameron family saw an opportunity to capitalize on the richness of the coastal waters. In 1960, the patriarch of the family took a bold gamble by founding an oyster business that would reach a wide expanse of supper tables, grocery and seafood stores and restaurants for many, many years.

 

Beginning as a small operation, the business provided freshly shucked oysters to the residents and businesses of Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes. From the start, the family created an environment of true hospitality, offering their employees home-cooked meals and fair wages. Over time, the business flourished, expanding to include a dock where local fishermen could unload their catches, allowing for the transportation of Cameron Parish’s bounty to markets along the Eastern seaboard.

Every morning, the father and son would set up the shucking tables, meet fishermen at the dock to purchase oysters, and load them into trucks for shipment. They also catered to local customers and supplied oysters to restaurants and businesses in the area. The son became instrumental in the growth of the business, helping to extend its reach from local markets to shelves across the region. Balancing other jobs, the son worked tirelessly alongside his father, ensuring the success of the family business well into the father’s later years. The son carried forward the family’s oyster industry legacy, teaching his children the skills of commercial fishing and oyster shucking and furthering the now renowned family tradition.

 

 

 The Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival is a treasured tradition in Cameron Parish, celebrating the industries that define the area's culture and heritage. One of the festival's most exciting events is the oyster-shucking competition, where participants race against the clock to prove their skills. King Fur 54, known for his extraordinary strength and speed, has won the event multiple times, earning him a reputation as one of the fastest and most formidable shuckers in the region, as well as providing the festival with oysters for the Oyster Shucking Event.

 

Over the years, however, hurricanes and regulations prompted the family to eventually close its business doors. His knowledge and expertise make King Fur 54 a steadfast symbol of the Cameron Parish Oyster Industry and an icon of Cameron Parish. Son of William “Billy” and Mary Lois and playing a significant role in the legacy of “Doxey Oysters”, it is my pleasure to introduce to you tonight, King Fur 54, honored for his tireless efforts, enduring legacy, and profound impact on the oyster industry – Ruben Doxey of Cameron, Louisiana.