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 August 2021.
Musician Razzy Bailey died August 4, 2021, at his home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee,
at the age of 82. He was a country singer and guitarist who
had a string of number one hits in the 1980s such as “Midnight Hauler” and “Loving Up
a Storm.” Bailey is being remembered for adding an R&B
element to his country music.
Actor Arthur French died July 24, 2021, in a hospital at the age of 89.
He was best known for his stage work. He was a founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company
and starred on Broadway in shows including “Death of a Salesman.”
He is also being remembered for roles in movies including “Car Wash” and “Crooklyn.”
Labor leader Richard Trumka died August 5, 2021, of a heart attack at the age of 72.
He was the longtime president of the powerful union, the AFL-CIO. He formerly led the United
Mine Workers of America. He is being remembered for his passionate
pro-worker stance and for taking on corporate America.
DJ and producer Kelli Hand died August 3, 2021, at the age of 56.
She was a pioneering woman DJ in the Detroit house and techno music scene, known for songs
like “Global Warning.” She is being remembered as “Detroit’s
first lady of techno.”
DJ and producer Paul Johnson died August 4, 2021, at Little Company of Mary Medical Center
in Evergreen Park, Illinois. He died after a battle with COVID-19 at the age of 50.
He was a popular DJ in Chicago’s house music scene, and he had a worldwide dancefloor hit
in 1999 with “Get Get Down.” He is being remembered as an influence on
notable musicians like Daft Punk.
Actress Markie Post died August 7, 2021, of cancer at the age of 70.
She was best known for playing public defender Christine Sullivan on the sitcom “Night
Court.” Post is also being remembered for roles on
TV in “The Fall Guy” and “Hearts Afire” and in the movie “There’s Something About
Mary.”
Comedian Trevor Moore died August 7, 2021, from an accident at the age of 41.
He was a founding member of the sketch comedy troupe “The Whitest Kids U Know.”
Moore is also being remembered for the comedic music he recorded.
Musician Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas died August 7, 2021, in his sleep at the age of
70. He was a founding member of the classic R&B-funk
band Kool & the Gang. Thomas is being remembered for playing saxophone
and other instruments on hit singles like “Celebration” and “Ladies’ Night.”
Football coach Bobby Bowden died August 8, 2021, in Tallahassee, Florida. He died a month
after announcing his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, at the age of 91.
He was the head football coach of the Florida State University Seminoles from 1976 to 2009.
He is being remembered as one of the best college coaches of all time, who built the
Seminoles into a highly successful team.
Actress Jane Withers died August 7, 2021, in Burbank, California at the age of 95.
She was one of the top child stars of the 1930s, best known for playing mischievous
little girls. In later years, Withers was known for her
commercials for Comet cleanser, playing Josephine the plumber.
Sports announcer Bob Jenkins died August 9, 2021, of brain cancer at the age of 73.
He was with ESPN for many years and is best known for his coverage of the Indianapolis
500 for more than four decades. Jenkins is being remembered as the voice of
auto racing – his voice was so iconic that it was included in the racing movies “Days
of Thunder” and “Talladega Nights.”
Jazz pianist Bob Ringwald died August 3, 2021, at the age of 80.
He founded the Fulton Street Jazz Band, and he was the father of
actress Molly Ringwald. Ringwald is being remembered for frequently
accompanying his daughter on piano as she sang.
Music producer Chucky Thompson died August 9, 2021, at a hospital near Los Angeles. He died of
complications of COVID-19 at the age of 53. He produced classic hip hop and R&B albums
for artists including the Notorious BIG, Mary J. Blige, and Faith Evans.
Thompson is also being remembered for his work with Mariah Carey, TLC, Ice Cube, and more.
Radio host Neal Conan died August 10, 2021, in Hawaii. He died of glioblastoma at the
age of 71. He was the longtime host of NPR’s talk show,
“Talk of the Nation,” and he was with NPR since the network’s early days.
Conan is also being remembered for being written into the X-Men comic book in the 1980s as a news reporter
Actor Alex Cord died August 9, 2021, at his home in Texas at the age of 88.
He was best known for playing Archangel on the TV series "Airwolf."
He is also being remembered for roles in movies like "Stagecoach" and "The Brotherhood."
Hockey player Tony Esposito died August 10, 2021 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 78.
He was a legendary goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks, known as Tony '0' to the team's fans.
A hockey hall of famer, he is being remembered as a pioneer of the butterfly goalie style.
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 North Carolina have been lowered
to honor the memory of state representative Jerry Carter.
Flags in Colorado have been lowered to honor the memory of former state representative
Mike McLachlan. Flags in Michigan have been lowered to honor
the memory of former state representative Douglas A. Bennett.
Flags in Indiana have been lowered to honor the memory of the former mayor of Bedford,
John A. Williams. Flags in California have been lowered to honor
the memory of California Highway Patrol Officer Jeremiah Hart.
Flags in Florida have been lowered to honor
the memory of Levy County Commissioner Mike Joyner.
This week also marks several notable anniversaries. 70 years ago this week, artist Jackson Pollock
died at the age of 44. Swimmer and actress Esther Williams was born
100 years ago this week. She died in 2013 at the age of 91.
Country singer Webb Pierce was born 100 years ago this week. He died in 1991 at the age
of 69. And author Alex Haley was born 100 years ago
this week. He died in 1992 at the age of 70. 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.