J. Fred Duckett
Encyclopedia
J. Fred Duckett 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.
in the 1950s after having attended Lamar High School
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 his masters degree. After his education he went to study in the Netherlands for one year as a Fulbright scholar.
In 1962 he became the PA voice for the Houston Astros
. He was also the public address announcer for Rice University sporting events. 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. 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 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.
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
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, aged 74. He was predeceased by his wife who died in January 2007.
Life and career
Fred Duckett went to Rice UniversityRice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in the 1950s after having attended Lamar High School
Lamar High School (Houston)
Mirabeau B. Lamar Senior High School is a secondary school located at 3325 Westheimer Road in Houston, Texas, United States, with a zip code of 77098...
to receive his B.A. in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. 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 his masters degree. After his education he went to study in the Netherlands for one year as a Fulbright scholar.
In 1962 he became the PA voice for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. He was also the public address announcer for Rice University sporting events. 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. 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 became an insurance salesman. When he heard there was a part-time History teaching job available at the Awty International School
Awty International School
-Information:The Awty School was founded in 1956 as a pre-school by Mrs. Kathleen Awty. The incorporation of an Upper School in 1975 changed the school into a college preparatory school which merged with the French School of Houston and became the Awty International School in 1984...
he immediately accepted. He taught there for 17 years until his death.