'Red' Duke, Iconic Surgeon Of Life Flight, Dies At 86

He was an acclaimed surgeon who treated both President John F. Kennedy and the then-Texas Governor John Connally, who were shot fatally during a motorcade in 1963, according to hngn.

He also started the 'Life Flight' helicopter ambulance system. Dr. James "Red" Duke died at the age of 86 years.

The well-known trauma surgeon as well as vibrant, colorful personality treated President John F. Kennedy and saved Texas Governor John Connally, when they were shot down by the assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.

"Red was a true pioneer in medicine for our community - a visionary in trauma care, a dedicated doctor, a superb educator, the larger-than-life figure that everyone knew," said Dan Wolterman, president of Memorial Hermann Health System, where Duke practiced for four decades. "His personality was so contagious. You couldn't help but like Red and want to engage him in conversation. He was everyone's friend."

The family announced his death on Tuesday, according to NBC News, though the cause was not known.

On November 22, 1963, he was a surgical resident at Parkland Memorial Hospital. That was when he heard that Kennedy and Connally had been shot in their motorcade in Dallas, Texas.

He treated both men. Connally thanked Duke till he eventually died in 1993.

Duke came out of the surgeon's room to cast a spell with his "bushy moustache, red curly hair and Theodore Roosevelt-style specs". He had been acting in many TV shows such as the PBS series "Bodywatch" in the 1980s.

He also hosted the "Dr. Red Duke Texas Health Reports," which was syndicated internationally for 15 years.

"Dr. Duke was a true pioneer -- a talented and tireless surgeon, a dedicated and inspiring educator, and a friend and mentor to everyone he met," said Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, president of UTHealth and dean of UTHealth Medical School, according to CNN.

"He never sought to be a leader, but became one naturally through his brilliance, compassion, patience and selflessness."