J. Fred Duckett

J. Fred Duckett (May 4, 1933^[1] – June 25, 2007) was an American sports journalist and writer.

Life and career

He was born in

He went to

In 1962 he became the PA voice for the Houston Astros. He was also the public address announcer for Rice University sporting events.^[2] He announced many games over the years and he became well known for his way of announcing "Jose Cruuuuuuz."^[2] "[Duckett] is the one to come out with the way they announced my name."^[2] Jose Cruz commented. Once Duckett said: "Strangers are always telling me, 'I've heard that voice. I just don't know where."^[2] In 1992 he left the Astros.

He officiated, coached and announced for Track and Field. He worked with the

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 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.^[5]

He was married to Baudine W. Duckett, who had a daughter, Petra Cochran, from a previous marriage that Duckett adopted.

Illness

Duckett started missing class due to his leukemia. In June 2007 he entered Methodist Hospital, in his native city of Houston, where he died, aged 74. During the Grand Opening of the new athletics facility at Awty, a moment of silence was held for the man who had been track coach at Awty for several years.^[6]

He was predeceased by his wife who died in January 2007.^[3][7]

References