Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths,
as seen at Legacy.com in the third week of February 2022.
Musician Gary Brooker died February 19, 2022, at his home. He died of cancer at the age
of 76. He was the lead singer and pianist for Procol
Harum, known for their 1960s anthem “A Whiter Shade of Pale.”
Brooker is also being remembered for touring and recording with Ringo Starr and George
Harrison. Singer Jane Marczewski died February 19, 2022,
of cancer at the age of 31. She was better known as Nightbirde as she
competed on “America’s Got Talent,” where she received a golden buzzer for her
original song “It’s OK.” Marczewski is being remembered as an inspiration
who competed on the show even as she was battling cancer.
U.S. Air Force hero Gail Halvorsen died February 16, 2022, at his home in Provo, Utah, at the
age of 101. He served as a pilot, engineer, and commander,
from World War II through his retirement in 1974.
During the Berlin Airlift, he became known as the Candy Bomber, for dropping candy for
local children from his airplane, along with the other food supplies the U.S. provided
to the people of Berlin. Halvorsen is being remembered as a hero who
brought hope and kindness to children during a dark time.
Dr. Paul Farmer died February 21, 2022, in Butaro, Rwanda. He died of an acute cardiac
event at the age of 62. He co-founded Partners in Health, a nonprofit
that brings health care to impoverished people around the world.
Farmer is being remembered for his passion for saving lives as he fought AIDS, tuberculosis,
and other diseases. Football player Charley Taylor died February
19, 2022, in Virginia at the age of 80. He was a Hall of Fame wide receiver who played
for Washington throughout his record-breaking career, catching well over 600 passes and
playing in eight Pro Bowls. Taylor is also being remembered as a standout
college player at Arizona State University. Entrepreneur Jamal Edwards died February 20,
2022, at his mother’s home in London. He died of a sudden illness at the age of 31.
He founded the YouTube music channel SBTV, which helped launch the careers of musicians
including Ed Sheeran and Stormzy. Edwards is being remembered as an influential
leader of his generation, who served as an ambassador for the British youth charity the
Prince’s Trust. Singer Mark Lanegan died February 22, 2022,
at his home in Killarney, Ireland, at the age of 57.
He was the lead singer for the pioneering grunge band Screaming Trees, best known for
their song “Nearly Lost You” from the soundtrack to the movie “Singles.”
Lanegan is also being remembered for performing and recording with Kurt Cobain and Queens
of the Stone Age. Comedian and magician The Amazing Johnathan
died February 22, 2022, at his home in Las Vegas. He died of heart disease at the age
of 63. Born Johnathan Szeles, he was known for his
offbeat magic act that was featured on Comedy Central specials and in Las Vegas headline
shows. The Amazing Johnathan is being remembered
for creating a chaotic stage show that often turned gruesome, with stunts like skewering
his own tongue. TV pundit Bob Beckel died February 21, 2022,
at the age of 73. He co-hosted the Fox News show “The Five,”
where he provided the liberal counterpoint to his conservative co-hosts.
Beckel is also being remembered as a columnist for USA Today and as Walter Mondale’s presidential
campaign manager. 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 Utah have been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Air Force Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen.
Flags across the U.S., as well as state flags in Minnesota, have been lowered to honor the
memory of U.S. Representative Jim Hagedorn from the State of Minnesota.
Flags in Alabama have been lowered to honor the memory of Cherokee County Sheriff’s
Cpl. Keith Morgan. Flags in Florida have been lowered to honor
the memory of Officer James McWhorter of the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.
Flags in Arizona have been lowered to honor the memory of former state Senator David Bradley.
Flags in California have been lowered to honor the memory of Huntington Beach Police Department
Officer Nicholas Vella. Flags in Massachusetts have been lowered to
honor the memory of United States Army Specialist Huguens Pierre.
Flags in West Virginia have been lowered to honor the memory of former state Supreme Court
Justice Edwin Flowers. Flags in Ohio have been lowered to honor the
memory of Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla. Flags in Michigan have been lowered to honor
the memory of former state Representative Woodrow Stanley.
Flags in Iowa have been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Army Private First Class Don
D. Dowler Jr. He was reported missing in action while fighting in the Korean War, and his
remains were recently identified and will be returned home for burial.
Flags in Wyoming have been lowered to honor the memory of former state senator Leland
Christensen. This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
Five years ago this week, actor Bill Paxton died of a stroke at the age of 61.
Thirty years ago this week, actor Dick York died of complications of emphysema at the
age of 63. Musician Kurt Cobain was born 55 years ago
this week. He died by suicide in 1994 at the age of 27.
Zookeeper and “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin was born 60 years ago this week. He
died in 2006, in an ocean wildlife accident at the age of 44.
Senator Ted Kennedy was born 90 years ago this week. He died in 2009, of brain cancer
at the age of 77. Actor Sidney Poitier was born 95 years ago
this week. He died in January, of cardiopulmonary failure at the age of 94.
You can read more about the lives of the people featured in this video on Legacy.com.
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stay up to date on national news deaths and reactions.