Jack Hough

Jack Van Doren Hough, M.D., was taken home to his Lord and Savior November 1, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, JoAnne Ingle “Jodie” Hough; their four sons, Ted and his wife Beverly, Jack Jr. “Van” and his wife Donna, Tim and David and his wife, Laura; 10 grandchildren - Charles, Becky Creech, Jaime, Jack III and his wife Amy, Julia, Tiffany, Stephanie, Emily, Joel and Joshua; 5 great-grandchildren – Jacob Creech, Rachel Creech, Aaron Creech, Colton and Levi; and Jack's sister, Ruth Cadogan and her husband, Lew.

Jack Hough was born September 10, 1920 in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, the son of Chapman and Hazel Hough who worked as a school superintendent and school teacher. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Van Doren, were pioneer settlers in the land run of the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. Jack graduated from Cameron High School at age 16 and graduated summa cum laude in 1939 from Southeastern State College in Durant with a degree in Chemistry. He then graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1943. Inducted into the Navy during his senior year at medical school, Jack received the Bronze Star fighting with the 4th Marine Division leading a troop of 40 corpsmen at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Dr. Hough practiced as an Ear, Nose and Throat-Head and Neck surgeon in Oklahoma City beginning in 1946. He limited his practice to otology (the ear) in 1955 and 'retired' at age 80, but continued working on research related to the ear until shortly before his death. Dr. Hough pioneered microscopic middle ear surgery in the late '50s. He was founder of the Hough Ear Institute at Integris Baptist Medical Center. With his research team there he helped develop the cochlear implant, invented the Audiant bone conduction implant and a middle ear implantable device, the SOUNDTEC Direct Drive System, now the Ototronix Maxum.

Dr. Hough was a clinical professor of Otorhinolaryngology at OU since 1949. He began lecturing worldwide in the 1960s at which time he started fellowship programs bringing ear surgeons to Oklahoma from around the world - especially developing world and third world countries. Dr. Hough authored or co-authored over 100 scientific articles published in professional periodicals and textbooks. He had 14 academic appointments and was a member of 24 professional societies and had held 34 professional offices, including president of the American Otological Society. Four times, he was the guest of honor and featured speaker of the Royal Society of Medicine in London. He received numerous prestigious awards in his chosen field.

Dr. Hough put his Christian faith in action in many ways, including traveling the globe with his wife on medical mission trips, leading Bible studies and mentoring other Christians. In 1993, Dr. Hough founded the Christian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgeons with over 500 members. In 1999, he and his wife, Jodie, were presented the Servant of Christ Award by the national Christian Medical and Dental Society. Jack also received the Medal of Valor from the American Medical Association.

Jack was on the board of MAP International (formerly Medical Assistance Program) for 40 years from incorporation serving as chairman of the board for 12 years. MAP International has supplied hundreds of millions of dollars worth of drugs and medical supplies to nearly 100 third world countries. With Mike and Tomi Sue Fisher and a group of 20+ believers, Jack and Jodie started Covenant Community Church in Yukon, Oklahoma, in 1979. Dr. Hough was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1996 he received the annual 'Salt and Light' award presented by the metro Oklahoma City chapter of the Christian Business Men's Committee of USA (CBMC).

Jack was truly a multitalented individual with a pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit. To Jack's wife he was a faithful lover, friend and companion, to his sons a great dad, to all of his family a Christian patriarch and loving ‘Poppie’, to his colleagues he was a world-renowned ear surgeon, to employees a beloved boss, to his fellow believers an exemplary elder, and to so many a mentor and 'dad' as truly he had many 'sons' and 'daughters' in the many arenas of his life. All knew he wasn't perfect, but he knew he had a Savior and to His Creator God and His Son, Jesus, he gave all glory.

Dr. Hough's life verse comes from the Living Bible paraphrased by his good friend, Kenneth Taylor, and is written on Jack's tombstone - 'As for me, my contentment is not in worldly wealth or fame, but in seeing You and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see You face to face.' Psalm 17:15

Viewing will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, with the family to receive friends 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Covenant Community Church, 2250 Yukon Parkway, Yukon, Oklahoma on Friday, November 9, at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice with acknowledgments sent to the family at P.O. Box 850240 Yukon, OK 73085.