Dr. James "Red" Duke, the acclaimed trauma surgeon who treated President John F. Kennedy as well as saving the life of Texas Gov. John Connally when they were shot by assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, has died.
Duke's family announced his death on Tuesday, according to NBC News. A cause of death was not revealed. He was 86.
Duke was serving as a surgical resident at Parkland Memorial Hospital when Kennedy and Connally were shot in their motorcade in Dallas, TX on Nov. 22, 1963.
He was the first to receive Kennedy, then turned his attention to Connally and treated him. Connally made it a point to publicly thank Duke until his eventual death in 1993.
Duke, who is often recognized by his bushy moustache, red curly hair and Theodore Roosevelt-style specs, was a colorful personality, having appeared in several television shows such as the PBS series "Bodywatch" in the 1980s.
Duke 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."
