J. Fred Duckett

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

Life and career He was born in Houston, Texas, the eldest son of Harry and Dorothy (Boettcher) Duckett.

He went to Rice University 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,

In 1962 he became the PA voice for the Houston Colt .45s, later to become the Houston Astros in 1965. He was also the public address announcer for Rice University sporting events.

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 married to Baudine W. Duckett, who had a daughter, Petra Cochran, from a previous marriage whom 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.

He was predeceased by his wife who died in January 2007.