Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths,
as seen at Legacy.com in the second week of April 2022.
Actress Kathryn Hays died March 25, 2022, in Fairfield, Connecticut at the age of 87.
She starred in “As the World Turns” as Kim Sullivan Hughes for almost 40 years, one
of the longest starring actors in the show’s history.
Hays is also being remembered for starring as a mute alien healer in a classic episode
of “Star Trek: The Original Series.” Actor and comedian Gilbert Gottfried died
April 12, 2022, of a long-standing heart condition at the age of 67.
He was known for his abrasively screechy voice, which he used hilariously in voice roles including
Iago the parrot in Disney’s “Aladdin.” Gottfried is being remembered as one of several
iconic stand-up comedians who have sadly died young in recent months, including Bob Saget
and Norm Macdonald. Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein died
April 3, 2022, at her home in Phoenix at the age of 97.
She was profiled in the Oscar-winning documentary, “One Survivor Remembers,” based on her
memoir, “All but My Life.” Klein is also being remembered as an author
of children’s books, who founded a nonprofit to educate students about the importance of
citizenship. Football player Rayfield Wright died April
7, 2022, after a severe seizure at the age of 76.
He was an offensive tackle with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s, helping lead his team
to two Super Bowl victories. Wright is being remembered as a Pro Football
Hall of Famer and a Cowboys legend. Actor and martial artist Jimmy Wang Yu died
April 5, 2022, at a hospital in Taipei, Taiwan. He died after a long illness at the age of
79. He was a legend of martial arts films, starring
in classics including “One-Armed Swordsman” and “The Chinese Boxer.”
Wang is being remembered as an influential figure who inspired generations of martial
arts filmmakers and actors. Football player Dwayne Haskins died April
9, 2022, in South Florida. He died in a traffic accident at the age of 24.
He was a standout quarterback at Ohio State, where he set many records in his single starting
season. Haskins is also being remembered for his NFL
career. He was signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time of his death.
Actress Kathy Lamkin died April 4, 2022, after a short illness at the age of 74.
She was a scene-stealer in “No Country for Old Men,” playing a trailer park manager
who stands up to a psychopath. Lamkin is also being remembered for her creepy
performance as the Tea Lady in the 2003 remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
Golfer Shirley Spork died April 12, 2022, in Palm Springs, California at the age of
94. She was one of the founders of the LPGA, and
she became a prominent teaching pro who coached generations of golfers.
Spork is being remembered as a Hall of Famer who had a profound influence on women’s
golf. Rapper Archie Eversole died April 13, 2022,
at the age of 37. He was best known for his 2002 hit “We Ready,”
which became a popular game day anthem for teams from high school to the pros.
Eversole is also being remembered for “United We Conquer,” his theme song for the Atlanta
United soccer team. Bodybuilder Cedric McMillan died April 12,
2022, of a heart attack at the age of 44. He was a leader in his sport who won the 2017
Arnold Classic. He is being remembered for his aesthetic physique,
a throwback to the earlier days of bodybuilding when competitors were leaner than they tend
to be today. McMillan was a U.S. Army Sergeant First Class
who served as an instructor. Every week in the United States, flags are
lowered to half-staff to honor the lives of Americans whose communities are mourning their
loss. Here are the most recent half-staff memorial flag honors.
Flags in Maryland have been lowered to honor the memory of former State Delegate William
S. Horne. Flags in Alaska have been lowered to honor
the memory of former Representative Charles G. Anderson Jr.
Flags in Washington have been lowered to honor the memory of retired State Supreme Court
Justice Mary Elizabeth Fairhurst. Flags in Nebraska have been lowered to honor
the memory of Elwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darren Krull.
Flags in Arizona have been lowered to honor the memory of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Fire
Department firefighter and EMT Brendan Bessee. Flags in Indiana have been lowered to honor
the memory of Jerry Lee Hancock, Sr., the former mayor of Mitchell.
Flags in Ohio have been lowered to honor the memory of Town and Country Fire District Lieutenant
Philip Wigal. This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
Fifteen years ago this week, author Kurt Vonnegut died after taking a fall at home at the age
of 84. Fifteen years ago this week, singer Don Ho
died of heart failure at the age of 76. Singer Bunny Wailer was born 75 years ago
this week. He died in 2021, of complications of a stroke at the age of 73.
Actor Omar Sharif was born 90 years ago this week. He died in 2015, of a heart attack at
the age of 83. You can read more about the lives of the people
featured in this video on Legacy.com. You can also follow Legacy.com on Facebook
and subscribe to our channel on YouTube to stay up to date on national news deaths and
reactions.