Dr John Kelly Duckworth's Obituary
Dr. John Kelly Duckworth, age 95, passed away on September 14th, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, colleague, physician, and friend. He was born on July 31, 1928, in Hazard, KY, and grew up in White House, TN, where he spent many summers working on family farms with his older brother, Gordon, and his younger sister, Patty.
He attended Peabody Demonstration School in Nashville, TN and graduated in 1945, after which he attended Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in NY. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering in 1949 while serving as a midshipman. From 1950-1951, he served in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Achernar AKA-53.
After returning from service in the Korean War in 1953, he married his beloved wife, Norma Jean
Glover, with whom he started a family. He then attended the University of Tennessee Medical School and graduated in 1956.
Dr. Duckworth began his medical career as a general practitioner in Pemiscot County, MO, after which he moved to Memphis, TN in order to study pathology. In 1965, he began working at Methodist Hospitals in Memphis, and served as Director of Laboratories until 1980. During the 1980s, he served as the chairman of Pathology as well as the chairman of the board of Methodist Hospitals Foundation. He was also an active member of the College of American Pathologists.
During the Reagan administration, he was appointed as the assistant to the Surgeon General of the United States, C.Everett Koop. He also directed the pathology residency program and taught as a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
After retirement, he continued to serve on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington (D.C.), where he helped establish the National Museum of Health and Medicine.
Dr. Duckworth received the Frank W. Hartman Award for his work in the area of laboratory accreditation, as well as the Methodist Health Systems Living Award in 1993. In 2012, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of American Pathologists for his outstanding contributions in the field of pathology.
Throughout his life, John demonstrated an exceptional and memorable love for his community, friends, and (most importantly) family. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed regular backpacking trips in the Rocky Mountains with his sons and friends. He was also a man of diverse interests, including flying his airplane, reading broadly (especially in the field of history), writing, and storytelling.
Dr. Duckworth also led a life of service to others, living out the wisdom from a Bible verse he often quoted, Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much will be required.” He was a longstanding member of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis. Known as “Papa John” to those who loved him, his cheerful countenance, love of life, and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew him.
Dr. Duckworth was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Norma Jean Glover Duckworth, who passed away on November 8th, 2012. He is survived by his five children, Dr.Hugh Duckworth, Michael Duckworth (Ruth), Cindy Woods (John), Patricia Wehrman (Randy), and Jeff Duckworth. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Justin Duckworth, Katherine Duckworth, Sam Duckworth, Taylor Duckworth,
Dr. Kaitlyn Filzer, Cody Duckworth, John Kelly Woods, Lucinda Woods, Jeffrey Wehrman, Camille Hearn, Kara Tapp, Ben Waddell, and two great-grandchildren, Lexi Jo Tapp and
James Hearn.
The family invites friends to Bonne Terre 4715 Church Road in Nesbit Mississippi for a visitation Wednesday September 20, 2023 at 10:00am with funeral services starting at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to suggest memorial contributions be sent to Gideons International or Methodist Hospice Residence 6416 Quince Rd Memphis, TN.
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