Spencer Tracy's Son Passes Away

The Los Angeles Times reports that John Tracy, the deaf son of actor Spencer Tracy, passed away Friday, June 15th at his son's ranch in Acton, California. He was 82.

His mother, Louise Treadwell Tracy, first realized her son was deaf when an accidently slammed door failed to wake him. His condition inspired his parents to found the John Tracy clinic in Los Angeles, a groundbreaking clinic established to assist hearing-impaired chidlren from infancy on, with parental education and involvement as key components of the treatment. The clinic has assisted nearly 250,000 children through the years.

A victim of Usher's syndrome, John Tracy was fated to lose his eyesight as well. He worked early in life at the Disney studios in the prop department, and was an avid horseman. He is survived by his sister, his son, and three grandchildren.