J. Fred Duckett

J. Fred Duckett
Born	May 4 1933 Houston, Texas, U.S.A
Died	June 25, 2007(2007-06-25) (aged 74) Houston, Texas

J. Fred Duckett (b. May 4 1933, Houston, Texas - d. June 25 2007, Houston, Texas) was a sports journalist and writer.

He was the eldest son of Harry and Dorothy (Boettcher) Duckett. Fred Duckett was married to Baudine W. Duckett, who had a daughter, Petra Cochran, from a previous marriage that Duckett adopted. J. Fred Duckett died after a short battle with leukemia, aged 74. He was predeceased by his wife who died in January 2007.

Life and career

Fred Duckett went to Rice University in the 1950s after having attended Lamar High School (Houston) to receive his B.A. in History. There he played both football and track under Coach Jess Neely as a member of the Owls’ scout team. During his junior season he had an injury and he began to work with Bill Whitmore, who was the Owl’s sports information director. After graduating from Rice University in 1955 he went to the University of Texas for hist masters degree. After his education he went to study in the Netherlands for one year as a fullbright scholar.

In 1962 he became the PA voice for the Houston Astros. He announced many games over the years and he became well known for his way of announcing “Jose Cruuuuuuz.” “[Duckett] is the one to come out with the way they announced my name.” Jose Cruz commented. Duckett was a famous man. Once Duckett said: “Strangers are always telling me, 'I've heard that voice. I just don't know where.” In 1992 he left the Astros.

He officiated, coached and announced for Track and Field. He worked with the U.S. Olympic Committee during three Olympic games, in 1976, 1984 and 1988. He served on the board of the U.S. Olympic festival when that was held in Houston.

For many years Duckett and his wife served as host family for foreign graduate students at Rice University. He was an active member of the Rice University “R” association and of the Holland Club of Houston.

Duckett taught at St. John's School in Houston, after graduate school, but he was unable to live off the money and therefore he became an insurance salesman. When he heard there was a part-time History teaching job available at the Awty International School he immediately accepted. He taught there for 17 years until his death. .

Illness

Duckett started missing class due to his leukemia. In June 2007 he entered Methodist Hospital, Houston, where he died, aged 74. During the Grand Opening of the new atheletics facility at Awty, a moment of silence was held for the man who had been track coach at Awty for several year.