Dr. Jack Douglas Waller

 

Dr. Jack Douglas Waller
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 83rd 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.

36 Replies to “Dr. Jack Douglas Waller”

  1. Your parents are amazing, Terri.
    I had no idea about your dad inventing liquid nitrogen cans; his life as Captain Jack in Vietnam; the work your parents did in Nicaragua —
    Your parents are inspiring me to be better, live more fully, be less self-involved.
    This inspiration to emulate your parents has to stay with me. I know I can do more with my life.
    How blessed was Amarillo when your family chose Lipscomb St. to call home. I feel honored to have shared moments of their lives. They most-certainly do live on. May something great come from our loss. The spirit of your parents are on Earth with so many people— it is like God multiplied your parents by a million because they were needed everywhere they touched.

  2. I served with Dr. Waller in Vietnam. I was pilot and he was our Flight Surgeon. “Doc Waller” as we called him was a friend and an Army
    Brother.

  3. I just adored Dr. Waller. He was such a great guy! What a pleasure to have gone on the honor flight with him. Prayers for Sandy and his family. He’ll be greatly missed.

  4. I grew up with Jackie in Sunray, 3 years his junior. He took care of my parents and aunt and uncle’s medical needs for many years. He truly was a good, and accomplished guy, and I’m sure will be sorely missed.

  5. Dr. Waller changed my life during his time at TTUHSC, encouraging me to pursue my dream of matching dermatology. My success was only possible because of his mentorship. I was honored to present him the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Match Day Ceremony last year, but even that isn’t enough to thank him for a all his years of service. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

  6. So sorry for your loss, Sandra. I was a patient of Dr. Waller’s and also was with you and Jack in the group tour to Israel in 2007.

  7. I met Dr. Waller when he started teaching at Texas Tech. Every Wednesday he would bring candy to share with any staff he ran into. I started seeing him for dermatology. One day I ran into him at Market Street. I said, “I wish you had your gun with you so you could shoot some of these places on my hand.” I didn’t realize how loudly I said that until many people swung their heads around to stare at us alarmingly! I apologized to him at my next visit and he laughed and said,”Don’t worry, I get some of my best referrals at Market Street.” He was a delightful and generous person, a kind and patient teacher, and a caring physician. He will be missed! Heaven is a better place due to his presence but his death leaves a hole in Amarillo.

  8. Sandra, you and Jack were so very kind and welcoming to Amber Aaron and I. We have so many wonderful, fun memories of adventures at the ranch! Amber and Aaron adored you both. I know Aaron has welcomed Jack with open, loving arms. They are waiting patiently for the rest of us to join them in an even brighter and more beautiful ranch in heaven. Sending love and light to you and your family.

  9. Jack, I will always remember your wonderful smile, lines of humor and happy attitude. Your professionalism has always been far above the norm and we feel honored and privileged to have been one of your friends. We treasure your friendship and remember many of your wonderful stories. Our best wishes to your lovely family!

  10. Dear Sandra and family. I just heard of your loss and wanted to send you this message. The two of you were so kind when Tom passed and I was so sad. I know you all are sad now as well. I read his obituary and thought how wonderful his life was and how fortunate he was to have found you and made this wonderful family and host of friends. I now live in Mo. as of two weeks ago, so I will not be able to attend his memorial but will be there in spirit. People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime and I am so happy to have known you both.

  11. I remember Jackie from my childhood in Sunray. I was awed by his example in academics and ethics. My parents had great affection for him. While he will leave a great vacancy here on earth, he is rejoicing with others around the throne of God. May God bless his family and comfort their grieving hearts.

  12. Jack was such an outstanding physician and friend. We will miss him. Our prayers for the family.

  13. Jack and I had many conversations about our time in South Viet-Nam. Even though he was down south and I was up north. He was my doctor for many years. We attended Bible Study together for a lot of years. We all in our discussion groups gained a lot of knowledge from him. Compassionate, caring and had a love for the Lord. May the Lord bless his family in years to come.

  14. Words simply fail us. Thank you Jack for the moral leadership, your Joy in living, and your unending friendship. Bob and I are just empty with your loss. We love you Jack and Sandy. You gave so much to us.

  15. Breaks my heart to hear of Dr Waller’s passing. He was an amazing man with a heart of gold, it showed in the care for his patients, employees and his family. Prayers for Sandra and his girls & the grandkids

  16. Dr. Waller was more than just a physician; he was a caring, compassionate man who was also a dear friend to my wife and me along with ~350 children and orphans in Nicaragua. After visiting Nicaragua Dr. Waller and Sandra made sure that our Nicaragua kids never went a day without milk and we never met without their first question being “how are the kids doing and do they need anything?” Their hearts were with and will always be with Savior’s Tear and our Nicaragua children. While in Nicaragua Sandra noticed a spot on my leg, Dr. Waller looked at it and made arrangements for Elaine and me to return to the U.S. to have the melanoma removed, not to mention taking care of the expenses; they literally saved my life. To call him our friend is an understatement, we love Dr. Waller and Sandra. We’re heartbroken now but happy in the knowledge that we will see him again and pick up where we left off. Prayers and comfort to Sandra, Terri, Lori, and their families. See you later Dr. Waller.

  17. I will miss Dr.Waller at the supermarket . thoughts and prayers with the family.what a great dr.to have known

  18. Jack. You will be missed. Not only my cousin but a great mentor. Thank you for always taking time to answer my questions and for the care you have always given. I will miss your voice. Rest In Peace. Love Freida Hall Toler and David Toler

  19. Jack was a good friend of mine over many many years beginning in Sunray, Texas. Over the past years, I’ve come to appreciate his benevolence and the genuine concern for people that Jack possessed even more. He was a dedicated Christian man who truly desired to help his fellow man. I shall miss him. God bless Sandy and the family at this time.

  20. Dear Sandi, I was so shocked when I heard of Jack’s passing. He was a good man and a great friend to Jerry and me over the years. May the Lord give you peace during this time. Love, Sue Norman
    Philippians 4:13

  21. Dr. Waller was my doctor from 1975 to 2009. His help through the years is beyond words. He was the epitome of a man with a servant’s heart. May God comfort all his loved ones during this difficult time.

  22. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Waller and family. I had the honor of working for Dr. Waller and am greatful fro the opportunity given to me. We will miss those wonderful cookies and you bright smile.
    Number 6:24-26
    The Lord bless you and keep you;
    The Lord Make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you;
    the Lord turn hiss face toward you and give you peace;

  23. What a great man and friend! My heart goes out to Sandra and the family. I wish I could be there

  24. Jack was the nicest most professional Dr you would ever meet. He treated all of us Sunray folks like family. He was great to work with through my Pharmacy (Roger’s Pharmacy in Dumas) . I will sure miss him.

  25. Sandra and family,
    I was so crushed when I saw that Dr. Waller passed away. He was such a good man and metor to me when I worked at High Plains. He was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Dr. Waller took time and cared for his family, employees and parents.
    I am very very very sorry…I am blessed he crossed my path and I was able to work for him and a saw first hand his moral compass manifest s.o many times when people could not afford their treatment.
    I hope he is with the angels around him at the feet of Jesus.
    Peace,
    Kaye-Lynn Vinson-Foley and husband Mike Foley

  26. Jack was nothing short of a legend in the medical community of Amarillo. I knew of him as a kid and had the honor of knowing him as a peer later in life. He was one of the kindest, most generous people I have known. Every time we talked he offered something to me- knowledge, advice, a visit to the ranch, or a gift with a personal connection. It’s a sad day when Dr Jack Waller is no longer with us. RIP.

  27. Our condolences 🙏 to Mrs Waller and family. I loved working with you at High Plains Dermatology Now you will forever take my enchilada sauce recipe with you .Thank you for always being there for me when my dad passed ❤💔 I will think of you when I’m at Golden Light eating a Waller burger RIP and I’ll See you later

  28. Condolences to the family of Dr. Waller. I was so blessed to have been one of his patients. May he Rest In Peace.

  29. Dr. Waller took care of both of my parents and also me. I really hated to see him retire in 2009 as I never found a better dermatologist than Dr. Waller. My prayers for peace and comfort go out to his wife and all of his family. Lisa Flanagan

  30. Little Jackie Waller is a great friend and legend. He will be missed by many. Not enough words to list all of the good he has done for the world.

  31. My thoughts and prayers to the family. Dr. Waller was more than my boss he was my second daddy. I am so honored to have know him and learn so much from him. RIP Poppey love you and will see you on the other side.

    1. Dr. Waller was one of the best!! He loved to help others and I will be forever grateful that I got to be one of his friends! Thank you for everything!! Prayers to Sandy, Lori, Terri, and family!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *