AASP Primary Records Program

Raphael 'Ray' Guillory

Raphael "Ray" Guillory, a champion of applied palynology and paleontology at Amoco Production Company, died August 16th in Houston, Texas. Ray was born in Mamou, Louisiana on October 12, 1931. Those who knew him will remember his ever pleasant demeanor, palynological prowess, reputation as a raconteur of Cajun or 'Coonass' jokes (he used these as endearing terms), long time member of AASP, and as a practicing 'Diptherian."

Ray graduated from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) with a degree in Geology. At LSU he developed a major interest in paleontology. Ray pursued graduate work at Tulane University, until he accepted a position with Stanolind Oil Company (subsequently Pan American and eventually the Amoco Production Company). He served in the U.S. Army during the Berlin Airlift. Ray was stationed in Wiesbaden, where he met his future wife Jean Campbell. Jean and Ray were married for 48 years and have two children, Ronald Ray and Becky.

Ray was employed by Amoco for 31 years, first as a micropaleontologist in Amoco's New Orleans office. When industrial palynology was in its infancy he leaped at a chance for retraining as a palynologist at Amoco's Tulsa Research Center. He spent the remainder of his technical career working primarily on the Mesozoic Gulf Coast palynology. Ray was instrumental in developing the zonation for the Lower Cretaceous and Jurassic that was used at Amoco. He was infamous for recognizing an important palynological marker informally known in the Amoco system as Baculatisporites-03, or Bac-03. A photomicrograph of this 'bug' was memorialized on Ray's 1989 retirement plaque from Amoco Paleo. At the end of his career he had achieved the position of Regional Paleontological Supervisor in the Amoco Houston Region.

Besides championing the biostratigraphic and paleoecologic application of palynology and microplaeontology during his lengthy career, everyone under Ray's supervision recognized his admirable managerial skills. He protected his 'troops,' allowed them to do the work needed, access the technical training required to enhance their skills, and did so with an affable managerial demeanor. Jean and Ray considered Amoco paleontologists an extended family, and would frequently host parties at their house.

Ray was widely known for his sense of humor. For those lucky enough to be present at an AASP conference attended by Ray, a highlight of the meeting would be an evening of story telling and jokes in someone's room (the venue usually depended on the room with the best stocked temporary bar). The joke-a-palooza invariably included Ray Christopher and Graham Williams. This threesome would entertain attendees until the early morning hours with a continuous barrage of jokes. Ray Guillory would regale the audience with his 'stories' of Boudreau and Trosclair; always spoken with an exquisitely droll Cajun lisp. For those who worked with or for Ray, he retained the same sense of humor in the workplace. He always had everyone at ease, and often would decide to have meetings offsite, at the local mudbugs (=crawfish) and beer establishment. When out on business with a group he would invariably ask the waitress for the bill, and, after close scrutiny he would announce it was not large enough and order a few additional rounds of drinks. In the mornings at work he would jump-start everyone around the coffee bar with quips like: 'I'm gonna stop eating oysters!' 'Why Ray, did you get sick?' 'No- because I had a dozen last night and only eleven worked!'

All those fortunate enough to have shared his company at work or AASP meetings will sorely miss Ray's sense of humor, and congenial smile..

Ray Guillory

Yesterday morning, I got a sad call from a family friend that Ray Guillory had passed away . She said that services would be Tuesday or Wednesday, and to watch the paper for details. I checked the Chronicle this morning (on the internet) and there was no obituary for Ray yet.

Ray had been diagnosed with cancer around last Christmas. He had been having chest pains, went to the hospital thinking it was his heart, but rather they found a large tumor in his chest.

After his first round of chemo, they found additional tumors in his brain. He had a gathering at his house just a month or so ago for the old Amoco Paleo group, and though weak, he was in good spirits and we all had a good time. He was going in for a second round of chemo just a few days later. I got a call from Gordon Wood this past week telling me that Ray had been sent home on pain maintenance and hospice care.

Ray was a great guy, and the only boss I ever worked for that was more concerned with his people than with his own career. I'll particularly miss his hair-lipped cajun jokes!

Ray's funeral services will be at 3PM Tuesday (August 19, 2003). St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Drive Spring, Houston, TX 77379.