Dr. Jack Douglas Waller

Dr. Jack Douglas Waller, loving husband, father, grandfather and great friend was called home to his Lord on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the age of 79.

Jack was born in Amarillo, TX on February 28, 1943, to Lorene and Fred Waller of Sunray, TX. He spent his childhood living in Sunray and was affectionately known to all as Jackie. Once graduated, Jack attended the University of Texas Austin in 1961. He met the love of his life, Sandra Johnson, in 1962 and they were married on May 4, 1963. They welcomed their first daughter, Lori, within a year. At this point, he became very focused and graduated pre-med in 3 years. He then attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX receiving his MD in 1968. Jack completed his internship at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital in 1969. During their time in Cleveland, Jack and Sandra welcomed their second daughter, Terri.

Jack was drafted into the Army in 1969. After completing flight surgery training at Fort Rucker, he was sent to Vinh Long, Vietnam as Squadron Flight Surgeon 7/1st Air Calvary as the Commander of the 83

rd

Medical Detachment. His rank was Captain. Jack served in Vietnam from 1970-1971. Once stateside, he was accepted to the Dermatology residency program at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, which he completed in 1974. During this period, he invented and patented a liquid nitrogen delivery system that is still used worldwide. Jack and family then moved to Lawton, OK, where he was the Chief of Dermatology at Reynolds Army Hospital, Fort Sill. He was honorably discharged on July 8, 1975, rank Major.

Jack and his family moved to Amarillo, TX in July of 1975. He joined High Plains Dermatology as a partner and helped grow the practice until his retirement in November of 2009. Jack was a revered member of the medical community in Amarillo. From early in his career, he devoted his life to service, mentored many medical students and became an avid traveler. Jack and Sandra travelled to all 7 continents, during which they noticed the needs of the underprivileged. This propelled their energy into missionary work, where they spent a lot of time in Nicaragua helping orphaned children with Saviors Tear. In 2007, they travelled to Israel, where they renewed their wedding vows in Cana and were baptized in the River Jordan. Jack was also very dedicated to veteran affairs and he and Sandra participated in 8 Honor Flights for veterans, taking the men and women to Washington DC to see the monuments, free of charge.

When not working, travelling, or serving his Lord and community, Jack loved piloting his plane, going to his ranch and spending as much time as possible with his 7 grandchildren. In his later years, he spent his ‘free’ time teaching Dermatology to 3rd year medical students at Texas Tech University of Medicine in Amarillo and throwing epic parties for his students. One might say they wanted his rotation for the party alone.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Lorene and Fred Waller. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his daughters, Lori Underwood and Terri Gottschalk; his sons-in-law, Brett Thornton and Darren Gottschalk; grandchildren, Avery, Ryan, Ashton & Hayden Underwood, Jordan, Makena and Sheldan Gottschalk; his beloved cat, Sigolene; and all those that loved him.

The celebration of his life will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Honor Flight Network or a charity of your choice in honor of Jack Waller.