Born James H. “Red” Duke Jr. in Ennis, Texas, on November 16, 1928, Doctor Red Duke, as he would become affectionately known, embarked on an extraordinary life journey that intertwined medicine, education, and a deep-rooted Texas spirit. His early years in Hillsboro were marked by hard work and entrepreneurial drive. Even as a young boy, Duke’s ambition shone brightly as he juggled picking cotton, digging ditches, and becoming the sole local agent for prominent publications like the Saturday Evening Post and the Dallas Morning News. It was during this industrious period that he earned the moniker “Red,” a nod to his distinctive curly red hair. The Texan countryside became his playground, where his passion for hunting and fishing led to a serendipitous lifelong friendship with another red-headed Abbott, Texas native, the legendary country music icon, Willie Nelson.
After graduating from Hillsboro High School, Doctor Red Duke pursued higher education at Texas A&M University, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His time at A&M was characterized by academic dedication and spirited leadership. He achieved widespread popularity as the head yell leader, a role that cemented his place in Aggie lore. Doctor Red Duke further etched his name into university tradition by initiating the poignant recitation of “The Last Corps Trip” poem at the school’s cherished bonfire. Following his undergraduate studies, duty called, and he served two years as an Army tank commander in Germany during the Korean War. Upon his return, driven by a burgeoning sense of purpose, he enrolled in the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, earning a divinity degree in 1955.
A pivotal moment during his seminary years arrived in the form of a book about Albert Schweitzer, M.D. This biography ignited a new calling within Doctor Red Duke: academic medicine. He envisioned a life dedicated to patient care, groundbreaking scientific research, and the vital task of training future generations of physicians. He believed this path offered the most impactful way to serve his community and utilize his diverse talents.
Doctor Red Duke realized his medical aspirations by earning his medical degree in 1960 from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. His rigorous training continued with a residency in general surgery at Dallas’ Parkland Memorial Hospital, a setting that would place him at the epicenter of a historical tragedy. In 1963, at Parkland, Doctor Red Duke played a crucial role in the medical team that valiantly fought to save Texas Governor John Connally, who was gravely wounded on the fateful day of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Before joining McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Doctor Red Duke broadened his academic horizons and enriched his expertise. He served on the faculty at UT Southwestern and the prestigious College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he pursued advanced graduate studies at Columbia University in diverse fields including chemical engineering, biochemistry, and computer sciences, demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary understanding in medicine.
Doctor Red Duke passed away on August 25, 2015, at the age of 86. However, his profound legacy endures through the countless students he mentored and the patients he compassionately cared for throughout his distinguished career. His impact as Doctor Red Duke, the Texan physician, educator, and innovator, continues to inspire and resonate within the medical community and beyond.
