The voice of the Owls...J. Fred passed away this evening at about 7:00 p.m. I thnik it was unexpected as he was making progress from his illness. I'm sure there will be details about the arrangements announced tomorrow.

J. Fred Duckett passed away Monday evening. For the last 50 years, his voice was the one you heard at so many Rice athletic events; it will be hard for many of us the imagine a Rice football game, soccer game or, especially, a track meet, without his physical presence.

When we kick-off the 2007 season in about 10 weeks, it may be "a great day for outdoor football," but I know there will be a tear in my eye without Fred.

I'm sure RiceOwls.com will have notice about arrangements soon.

L-Mac Edit: I merged Uncle Benjamin's "Sad Day" thread into Houston Owl's thread & stickied it... figured it was best to have one central thread in J. Fred's memory. Hope y'all don't mind.

Uncle Benjamin Wrote:J. Fred Duckett passed away Monday evening. For the last 50 years, his voice was the one you heard at so many Rice athletic events; it will be hard for many of us the imagine a Rice football game, soccer game or, especially, a track meet, without his physical presence.

When we kick-off the 2007 season in about 10 weeks, it may be "a great day for outdoor football," but I know there will be a tear in my eye without Fred.

I'm sure RiceOwls.com will have notice about arrangements soon.

Is the Press Box at Rice Stadium named after anyone? If not, that would be a fitting tribute.

WMD Owl Wrote:

Uncle Benjamin Wrote:J. Fred Duckett passed away Monday evening. For the last 50 years, his voice was the one you heard at so many Rice athletic events; it will be hard for many of us the imagine a Rice football game, soccer game or, especially, a track meet, without his physical presence.

When we kick-off the 2007 season in about 10 weeks, it may be "a great day for outdoor football," but I know there will be a tear in my eye without Fred.

I'm sure RiceOwls.com will have notice about arrangements soon.

Is the Press Box at Rice Stadium named after anyone? If not, that would be a fitting tribute.

I agree

What a terrible loss. As many of you may remember, his wife passed away earlier this year and J. Fred (ancient Owl) expressed his gratitude at that point for our thoughts and best wishes.

I don't know what Rice (and the Astros for that matter) might do to remember J. Fred but I'm sure whatever is done probably won't be enough. I believe the football press box is already named for Bill Whitmore, at least the upper level.

http://www.ncaabbs.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=109376

J. Fred devoted many an hour to the Rice track teams (as well as local high schools). The Rice Track/Soccer Stadium could certainly use a new name. Of course, it might need a little upgrade to be a fitting tribute to such an outstanding Owl.

I have had the privilege of getting to know J. Fred over the past several years -- what a tremendous person. I just cannot express the depth of the loss to me personally. Whatever is written or said about him will never be sufficient to capture the quality and depth of this unique individual.

Our family is saddened. J Fred touched our lives many times. Our prayers are with him and his family.

My brothers and I went to visit him at the hospital on Saturday, and while he was clearly struggling physically, it was still the same J. Fred Duckett on the inside -- still had his wit and his sense of humor, and his appetite was coming back as well (for those who knew him, you know how important that was). And of course sports featured front and center in most of our conversation -- specifically the Astros and the baseball Owls. He was down, but looking up and already talking about what he was going to do when he got out.

It's a huge loss. I first knew him as my middle-school history teacher at Awty, and of course got to know him more as time passed thanks to sports, Rice, and Rice sports. He'll be sorely missed -- a huge man, with a huge voice and an even bigger heart. Rice, Awty and Houston have lost somebody special.

Two wonderful tributes to J. Fred.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4920044.html

http://blogs.chron.com/runhouston/2007/0...a_ann.html

Sad day. Knew of his voice long before my son attended the University. I would propose that the first offensive series for Rice go unannounced in a memorium to JF. I doubt there will be another like him.

It will always be a great day for outdoor football.

Rice Stadium will never be quite the same.

Rice football games will definitely not be the same with him. We'll miss you J. Fred. RIP.

There is nothing I can say that has not already been said. Myself, I got to know him a little in the early 90's at the Quarterback Club meetings, even had the privilege of sitting at "his" table on numerous occasions. He told it like he saw it. His stories of when he started chanting "Cruuuuuuuuuz!" and how Cruz originally responded to it are totally hilarious.

Whoever takes over as PA announcer at football games will certainly have huge shoes to fill.

[Mod note]
As mentioned above - I merged Uncle Benjamin's "Sad Day" thread into this one & stickied the merged thread. I've also un-stickied the "J. Fred Needs Help" thread.
[/Mod note]

J. Fred, you will be missed terribly.

Maybe we could find a place in the stadium for a sign proclaiming " it's a great day for outdoor football." I was also always partial to his "traaaaavellling" calls at Autry.

Having grown up at the Astrodome and at Rice football games, I will always remember Fred. I loved (before Reliant Stadium and the Coogs moving to Robertson Stadium) how Rice Stadium was the only outdoor football in Houston and that Fred would say "It's a beautiful day for outdoor football in Houston"!
Here is a video clip of him saying it before the Rice/Central Florida game in November 2005. Just click on the arrow to play the video clip...Enjoy

http://marathoner.phanfare.com/album/115...ID=6277793

J. Fred was already a legend when I was at Rice (late 60s/early70s) and a delight to chat with. What a loss. Here's a very nice tribute in the Austin American-Stateman's statesman.com web site.

Almadenmike Wrote:J. Fred was already a legend when I was at Rice (late 60s/early70s) and a delight to chat with. What a loss. Here's a very nice tribute in the Austin American-Stateman's statesman.com web site.

I loved this quote out of the story ....

'I recall a Southwest Conference indoor championship at Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth sometime in the early 1980s. A false start in a sprint race triggered a barrage of restart pistols echoing through the cavernous old building.

Over the PA system came that big voice: “Sounds like Houston on a Saturday night.”'

Riceowls.com has a really nice page to put down your thoughts and also a photo gallery. The 1986 Bayou Classic features a very young Steve Moniaci to his left (and the former marketing guy - can't remember his name but he and his wife Theresa went to Atlanta and I think they might still run the Peach Bowl somehow?). Also the jungle gym photo features a very, very young Jay Jameson.

http://riceowls.cstv.com/chat/062607aaa.html

Fort Bend Owl Wrote:Riceowls.com has a really nice page to put down your thoughts and also a photo gallery. The 1986 Bayou Classic features a very young Steve Moniaci to his left (and the former marketing guy - can't remember his name but he and his wife Theresa went to Atlanta and I think they might still run the Peach Bowl somehow?). Also the jungle gym photo features a very, very young Jay Jameson.

http://riceowls.cstv.com/chat/062607aaa.html

Mark, Bill Irish is the name you are thinking of. I think he and Teresa are still in Atlanta.

Watching Astros, and Brown and Deshaies are talking about J Fred as I type this. Really a very nice tribute.

Fort Bend Owl Wrote:What a terrible loss. As many of you may remember, his wife passed away earlier this year and J. Fred (ancient Owl) expressed his gratitude at that point for our thoughts and best wishes.

I don't know what Rice (and the Astros for that matter) might do to remember J. Fred but I'm sure whatever is done probably won't be enough. I believe the football press box is already named for Bill Whitmore, at least the upper level.

http://www.ncaabbs.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=109376

What do you think about a scholarship in his name? Can't claim this idea as my own, it was suggested by my former wife.

Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:

Fort Bend Owl Wrote:Riceowls.com has a really nice page to put down your thoughts and also a photo gallery. The 1986 Bayou Classic features a very young Steve Moniaci to his left (and the former marketing guy - can't remember his name but he and his wife Theresa went to Atlanta and I think they might still run the Peach Bowl somehow?). Also the jungle gym photo features a very, very young Jay Jameson.

http://riceowls.cstv.com/chat/062607aaa.html

Mark, Bill Irish is the name you are trying to recall. I think he and Teresa are still in Atlanta.

Watching Astros, and Brown and Deshaies are talking about J Fred as I type this. Really a very nice tribute.

Fort Bend Owl Wrote:Riceowls.com has a really nice page to put down your thoughts and also a photo gallery. The 1986 Bayou Classic features a very young Steve Moniaci to his left (and the former marketing guy - can't remember his name but he and his wife Theresa went to Atlanta and I think they might still run the Peach Bowl somehow?). Also the jungle gym photo features a very, very young Jay Jameson.

http://riceowls.cstv.com/chat/062607aaa.html

The recycle on that site is too quick for long posts, so I'm going to post a few of my favorite J Fred memories here.

1. We had a holiday open house around Christmas each year. Back in the 80s, I had just gotten a new videocamera, and I decided that it would be fun to catch guests as they arrived. J Fred played the part perfectly, and for years we enjoyed watching the tape of him coming through my front door, shouting, "Where's the food? Where's the food?"

2. Later in the 80s, the Oilers made their first playoff appearance in so many years that the staff had forgotten the need to do things like provide press passes for the statistics crew. Several of us went over to Fred's house and rode to the 'Dome with him. He had an employee parkings sticker from working with the Astros, which got us into the parking lot. He had, I believe, his mother's handicapped tag which got us to the front row of parking (almost as close as press parking where we belonged). We then got out and walked up to the elevator entrance, where the attendant on duty looked at us and said, "As screwed up as this organization is, I guess they forgot your passes," as he waved us in. I've heard of people crashing major events, but I wonder how many people have ever walked into the press box of an NFL playoff game with no credentials?

3. In the early 90s, I'm working Rice basketball at the scorers table with J Fred and David Louwerse. There are only about 1000 great stories that came out of that era. One involves someone else mentioned on here the other day. We are playing Texas and there is a charge/block collision right in front of us. Lynn Shortnacy calls the charge against Kevin Rabbitt. It is such a horrible call that Dave's, Fred's, and my jaws all drop. Lynn, who obviously didn't appreciate the reaction, comes over to Fred and says, "J Fred, if I didn't respect you so much I'd throw all three of you out of the gym. You know you aren't supposed to show that kind of emotion." Fred responds, "Lynn, I've been working with you for 17 years, and in that whole time, that is the worst call I've EVER seen you make." Lynn doesn't respond, and we go to a time out, so he walks down to the baseline. When the timeout is over, he comes back to midcourt. Before putting the ball back into play, he leans over to Fred and says, "Fred, you're wrong. It's been 18 years."

4. In 2001 the US hosted South Africa in a rugby match at O'Quinn/Robertson stadium. For those who don't know, South Africa is one one the top 2 or 3 rugby countries in the world, and most of their players are Afrikaans. Scott Compton of USA Rugby contacted me and asked if I could come up with a PA announcer. I immediately thought of Fred, and told Scott that he would be the perfect choice. "Has he ever done rugby?" Scott asked. "No," I replied, "but his wife is Dutch." Scott agreed that he was the perfect choice, and Fred was indeed. The only player whose name gave him any trouble was not one of the South Africans, but Jone Naquica ("Johnny Na-QUICK-a") of the US.

5. I got Fred to do one rugby match, and he got me to do one track meet, one of the short-lived Astrodome Relays. I was doing inside (press box) PA and I was NOT the perfect choice. Nothing could possibly have given me a better idea of just how great a job Fred did.

6. Back in the 70s Fred once went to visit my parents in Alabama, and to tour some of the ante-bellum mansions in the area. He had the "J FRED" personalized licence plates. As he was driving down the road to my parents, coincidentally my godfather (also a J. Fred) happened down the same road right behind him. He was quite taken by the coincidence of another J Fred on the road right in front of him. When the Ducketts turned into my parents' driveway, my godfather (who was not headed to see my parents) could not resist following them up the driveway to find out who this person from Texas was. My godfather still mentions that to this day.

Hope some of you find one or more of these amusing.

Sorry, duplicate post.

I got to interact with J. Fred a bit when I was The MOB's announcer, during football pre-games and halftimes (naturally). When he was off-mike, he'd use his spotting binocculars like he would during the game, except he'd be using them on the opposing school's drill team (and often offering commentary and opinions on what he was seeing).

The Hack and J. Fred within a week - the world and the age are truly changing....

Jonathan Sadow Wrote:I got to interact with J. Fred a bit when I was The MOB's announcer, during football pre-games and halftimes (naturally). When he was off-mike, he'd use his spotting binocculars like he would during the game, except he'd be using them on the opposing school's drill team (and often offering commentary and opinions on what he was seeing).

The Hack and J. Fred within a week - the world and the age are truly changing....

Thrill's just carrying on the tradition. I hope whomever replaces him will... at least once... say "It's a GREAT day for OUTDOOR FOOTBALL".

Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:Hope some of you find one or more of these amusing.

Absolutely!! Thanks for sharing your memories.

Quote:3. In the early 90s, I'm working Rice basketball at the scorers table with J Fred and David Louwerse. There are only about 1000 great stories that came out of that era.

I'd be happy to read a few hundred of them. :-) [/quote]

Almadenmike Wrote:

Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:Hope some of you find one or more of these amusing.

Absolutely!! Thanks for sharing your memories.

Quote:3. In the early 90s, I'm working Rice basketball at the scorers table with J Fred and David Louwerse. There are only about 1000 great stories that came out of that era.

I'd be happy to read a few hundred of them. :-)

[/quote]

Mike,

I'll try to come up with a few more. Another that comes to mind involves another name that appeared on this board recently. Welcome back to Rice, Brent Scott (still my son's favorite ever Rice Owl).

Anyway, the worst part of Brent's game, by far, was shooting free throws. I think he was about 50% from the foul line for his career. Before a big game at Autry (I think it may have been THE Texas game, but not 100% sure), the rumor along press row was that Brent was so pumped up for the game that during the shootaround earlier in the day he had actually broken a backboard, and there had been a mad scramble to get it replaced by game time. The game starts, Brent gets fouled, hits both free throws. A few minutes later he gets fouled again and hits both free throws again. Evenutally, he gets up to something like 10 for 10 from the line. Someone, I think Louwerse, made the comment that Brent must have been working on his free throws. JFD's response, "How do you think he broke the backboard?"

Funeral Arrangements:

The viewing will be from 6-8 on Thursday at George H. Lewis Funeral Home, 1010 Bering Drive.

The Memorial Service will be at 1 pm on Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1015 Holman at Main.

A little known fact on Fred is that during the late 1940's he was the bat boy for the Rice baseball team. Recently he recalled the names of the players during that era. He was a truly amazing man with a phenomenal memory. He will be missed.

I just got an email saying Jay Fred's memorial service has been changed to Autry Court. I can't think of a better place & I think Jay Fred would agree. I just wish I could be there.


I know we just sent you information on the location of Jay Fred's Memorial Service, but this is to let you know that location has been changed. The new venue will be

THE AUTRY GYMNASIUM
RICE UNIVERSITY
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
1:00 PM.

The viewing location and time has not changed. It will be from 6-8 PM on Thursday at George H Lewis Funeral Home, 1010 Bering Drive.

Parking information: There is paid parking across the street from the Music school and there is free parking on the Greenbriar side of the Football Stadium Entrances 13A and 13B. There is a chance that a lot will be opened up behind the police station right off of Entrance 8. Turn left as soon as you enter the campus.

Please let as many folks know as you can.

Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:In the early 90s, I'm working Rice basketball at the scorers table with J Fred and David Louwerse. There are only about 1000 great stories that came out of that era ...

Maybe you and David should consider writing a book. I bet between the two of you, you could put together a great collection of stories about working with Mr. Duckett.

Seems very fitting the what appears to be the very last public event in old Autry Court will be J. Fred's memorial service.

A long time ago, my grandpa was telling me that, once you reach a certain age, it gets to the point where there are as many or more guys that you really want to see and be around "up there" than there are still left walking around "down here."

I think I'm finally getting to the point where I'm beginning to understand what he meant......

His last announcing was probably at the CUSA championship track meet here in May. We noticed that J. Fred had to take a break from announcing for a few races and someone else took over for a while before J. Fred finished the meet. Normally, J. Fred would do the whole track meet. I think track was his favorite sport to announce.

I remember J. Fred from the Houston Civil War Roundtable. He would often attend the meetings. there are several Rice people who go to Roundtable.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THESE STORIES OF A TRULY AMAZING MAN. ITS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME WITHOUT J FRED.

TazOwl Wrote:

Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:In the early 90s, I'm working Rice basketball at the scorers table with J Fred and David Louwerse. There are only about 1000 great stories that came out of that era ...

Maybe you and David should consider writing a book. I bet between the two of you, you could put together a great collection of stories about working with Mr. Duckett.

Not really an anecdote, but something that I recalled yesterday about working with Fred. Whether at the scorer's table or in the PA booth, we always seemed to have three conversations going simultaneously. One would be about the game, of course. One would typically involve current events. And the third would usually be about some subject of academic interest, usually history because we were both history addicts. I don't know that I can say that I've never met anyone with as diverse a range of interests as Fred. But I do believe that I've never met anyone else who was AS interested in as many different subjects as Fred was.

75Owl Wrote:His last announcing was probably at the CUSA championship track meet here in May. We noticed that J. Fred had to take a break from announcing for a few races and someone else took over for a while before J. Fred finished the meet. Normally, J. Fred would do the whole track meet. I think track was his favorite sport to announce.

I remember J. Fred from the Houston Civil War Roundtable. He would often attend the meetings. there are several Rice people who go to Roundtable.

I was that "someone else" -- J. Fred was nice enough to let me serve as an understudy of sorts for the past 6-7 years. He also recommended me to meet directors whenever he was not able to work at their meets. Believe me, those few years are not nearly enough to prepare me to ever be at his level. But, as much as I learned from him about announcing, I learned so much more from him about people skills.

I am obviously very remiss in posting this, and for that I apologize.

On July 4 at Minute Maid Park, I ran into Bob Ford, the Astros' current PA announcer, in the media lunch room. He told me how sorry he was about J. Fred's passing, and that he was going to have a special tribute for him that afternoon.

Later, Bob started his pregame announcements with "It's a great day for indoor baseball!"

Thanks, Bob.