Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reported at Legacy.com, the second
week of March 2023. Legacy.com is where you can find any obituary,
or publish an obituary in any newspaper in America, and beyond.
Olympic gold medalist Dick Fosbury died March 12, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died
of lymphoma at the age of 76. He won gold in the high jump at the 1968 Summer
Olympics in Mexico City using a revolutionary new technique that came to be known as the
Fosbury Flop. Fosbury is being remembered for that technique—where
athletes leap backwards over the high jump bar—which is now the standard style for
competitive high jumpers. Olympic diver Pat McCormick died March 7,
2023, in Santa Ana, California at the age of 92.
She swept the diving events at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, winning a total of four gold
medals. In 1956, she won gold twice just a few months after giving birth.
McCormick is being remembered as a pioneer of diving who dominated the sport with 26
titles in 11 seasons. Singer and songwriter Jerry Samuels died March
10, 2023, at a hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He died of complications from dementia and
Parkinson’s disease at the age of 84. He was better known as Napoleon the fourteenth,
and he had a smash hit in 1966 with the novelty song “They’re Coming to Take Me Away,
Ha-Haaa!” Samuels is also being remembered as a songwriter
who wrote hits for singers including Adam Wade and Sammy Davis Jr.
Football player Otis Taylor died March 9, 2023, of Parkinson’s disease at the age
of 80. He was a wide receiver for the Kansas City
Chiefs in the 1960s and ‘70s, one of the team’s all-time greats.
Taylor is being remembered for helping his team to victory at Super Bowl IV with an unforgettable
46-yard touchdown reception. Football coach Bud Grant died March 11, 2023,
at his home in Bloomington, Minnesota at the age of 95.
He was the longtime head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to four Super Bowl appearances
in the 1960s and ‘70s. He is also being remembered for both playing
for the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers and coaching them – he was the youngest head
coach in the league’s history at just 29 years old.
Grant was a U.S. Navy veteran who served at the tail end of World War II.
Filmmaker Bert I. Gordon died March 8, 2023, in Los Angeles at the age of 100.
He wrote and directed B- movie classics of the 1950s through ‘70s, including “The
Amazing Colossal Man,” “Cyclops,” and “Empire of the Ants.”
He is being remembered for his films’ many appearances on the comedy movie review show
“Mystery Science Theater 3000.” Gordon is being remembered as a U.S. Army
Air Forces veteran of World War II. Animator and designer Rolly Crump died March
12, 2023, at his home in Carlsbad, California at the age of 93.
He was a longtime Disney employee, where he designed beloved Disneyland attractions including
the It’s a Small World ride and the Enchanted Tiki Room.
Crump is being remembered as a Disney Legend who also designed Knott’s Bear-y Tales ride
for Knott’s Berry Farm. Former U.S. Representative Patricia Schroeder
died March 13, 2023, in Celebration, Florida. She died of Complications from a stroke at
the age of 82. She was a Democrat who represented Colorado
in the House for 24 years. Schroeder is being remembered for her important
role in legislation including the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Baseball player Joe Pepitone died March 13, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri at the age
of 82. As first baseman with the New York Yankees,
he was a three-time All-Star who helped his team to victory at the 1962 World Series.
Pepitone is being remembered as a colorful character who also played for teams including
the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. Author John Jakes died March 11, 2023, at
a hospice facility in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 90.
He wrote bestselling historical novels including the “North and South” trilogy and the
Kent Family Chronicles. Jakes is also being remembered for sci-fi
and fantasy novels including his “Brak the Barbarian” series.
Musician Bobby Caldwell died March 14, 2023, at his home in New York City at the age of
71. He was best known for his 1978 R&B hit, “What
You Won’t Do for Love.” It has been covered by many other artists and sampled in Tupac
Shakur’s song, “Do for Love.” Caldwell is also being remembered as a songwriter
for other artists, with hits including Amy Grant and Peter Cetera’s “The Next Time
I Fall.” Ballerina Lynn Seymour died March 7, 2023,
in London. She died of natural causes at the age of 83.
She was a star of London’s Royal Ballet, where she danced with fellow greats including
Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Seymour is being remembered for the passion
and abandon she brought to roles including Juliet in Kenneth MacMillan’s “Romeo and
Juliet,” one of several ballets the choreographer wrote for her.
Drummer Jim Gordon died March 13, 2023, at California Medical Facility in Vacaville,
California. He died of natural causes at the age of 77.
He was the drummer for Derek and the Dominos, playing drums alongside Eric Clapton on hits
including “Layla” and “Bell Bottom Blues.” He is also remembered as a member of the legendary
Wrecking Crew of session musicians who played on many top albums and songs of the 1960s
and ‘70s, including the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” and “You’re So Vain” by Carly
Simon. Gordon suffered from schizophrenia and tragically
murdered his mother in 1983. He was imprisoned for the rest of his life.
At Legacy.com, ANY family can publish an obituary in honor of a loved one’s memory, online
and in local newspapers everywhere. Just visit Legacy.com and select your local community.
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 Virginia have been lowered to honor
the memory of Rocky Shane Wood, of the state Department of Forestry, the Vice Mayor of
the town of Haysi and Chief of the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department, who died in the line of duty.
Flags in Massachusetts have been lowered to honor the memory of former Representative
Anthony J. Verga Sr. Flags in Delaware have been lowered to honor
the memory of Representative Donna Stone. Flags in Maryland have been lowered to honor
the memory of former State Delegate Sheila Hixson.
This week also marks several notable anniversaries. Fifteen years ago this week, actor Ivan Dixon
died at the age of 76. He starred on “Hogan’s Heroes” as Staff Sergeant James “Kinch”
Kinchloe. Twenty-five years ago this week, pediatrician
Benjamin Spock died at the age of 94. His book “Baby and Child Care” revolutionized
parenting in the 20th century. Thirty years ago this week, actress Helen
Hayes died at the age of 92. She was the first person ever to win the Triple Crown of Acting,
competitive Emmy, Tony, and Academy Awards in acting categories.
Actress Anissa Jones was born 65 years ago this week. She died in 1976 at the age of
18. She became a child star when she played Buffy on the popular sitcom “Family Affair.”
Actress Anita Morris was born 80 years ago this week. She died in 1994 at the age of
50. She was known for roles in movies including “Ruthless People” and “The Hotel New
Hampshire.” Ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev was born 85 years
ago this week. He died in 1993 at the age of 54. One of the best ballet dancers of his
time, he famously defected from the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
Professional wrestler Mae Young was born 100 years ago this week. She died in 2014 at the
age of 90. She was a WWE Hall of Famer whose wrestling career lasted from the 1940s through
the 2000s. TV host Lawrence Welk was born 120 years ago
this week. He died in 1992 at the age of 89. His TV variety show lasted for more than 30
years, showcasing what he called “Champagne Music.”
There are many more celebrity anniversaries this week, and we pay tribute to them in our
new Tuesday video series, “Death Anniversaries and Birthdays.”
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.