One of the best known surgeons of Texas, James 'Red' Duke, died on Tuesday at the age of 86. Duke has initially treated President John F. Kennedy and has saved the life of Texas Gov. John Connally.

Duke was quite popular for his Texas twang and thick mustache. He has brought many positive changes in emergency medicine that has global impact. Giuseppe Colasurdo, president of UTHealth said, "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".

He has helped develop the Life Flight helicopter emergency service in 1976 at Houston's Hermann Hospital, where he was serving as medical director for trauma and emergency services. He has also co-founded American Trauma Society.

In 1960, he graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. As mentioned above, he was one of the doctors working at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on the day when Kennedy was shot.

In 1970, he moved to Afghanistan and after two years, he was back in Texas to work as a surgeon. Duke has also worked with the US military to bring improvements in battlefield medical techniques.

Duke's family said that he had countless colleagues, friends and patients. He was a skilled physician, a great communicator and dedicated conservationist. He was a world- known trauma surgeon known for his medical skills.