HOUSTON – He didn't give us his classic sign-off, but for someone who routinely saved lives, Dr. James "Red" Duke was incredibly humble.
An icon to trauma medicine, Duke knew the cycle of life well.
"It's a lot of fun living," Duke said. "Every morning to me is a birthday. They say, 'How's your day going?' I say, 'Hell, I got up!'"
Known for bringing LifeFlight to Houston and teaching, as he would say, "From the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston," many know Duke for his gruff theatrics.
His death will be a void in the medical world and medical students will never know one of its greatest teachers.
"I love being a doctor," Duke said. "I love messing with students and talking with them. I try to tell them it's an incredible privilege to be a physician."
(Photo courtesy of Dr. James "Red" Duke's family)
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