James "Red" Duke passed away today. He was 86 years old. He was an amazing man. He was an ordained Baptist minister, a Korean War tank commander, and trauma surgeon. He took the concept of helicopter transport from the Korean War and applied that to civilian use founding the Life Flight helicopter ambulance system. When a resident at Parkland Hospital, he helped care for Gov. John Connally. He was famous for his Texas twang and giving health advice on nationally syndicated television spots. He would great males as "partner or bud" and females as "babe". "Red" could put any medical condition or procedure into simple terms. He was in declining health and passed from natural causes. May he Rest in Peace.
