Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reported at Legacy.com, the first
week of October 2022. Legacy.com is where you can find any obituary,
or publish an obituary in any newspaper in America, and beyond.
Actor Robert Brown died September 19, 2022, in Ojai, California at the age of 95.
He starred in the TV show “Here Come the Brides,” playing lumberjack Jason Bolt.
He is also being remembered for guest starring on an episode of “Star Trek.”
Brown was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the 1940s.
Activist Sacheen Littlefeather died October 2, 2022 at her home in Novato, California.
She died after fighting breast cancer at the age of 75.
She made news at the 1973 Academy Awards when she appeared on behalf of Marlon Brando to
decline his Best Actor Oscar for “The Godfather.” Littlefeather is also being remembered for
her life of activism, including her work with the American Indian AIDS Institute of San
Francisco. Football player Gavin Escobar died September
28, 2022, in the San Bernardino National Forest. He died in a rock-climbing accident at the
age of 31. He was a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys
from 2013 to 2016. Escobar is also being remembered as a firefighter
in Long Beach, California. Doctor Audrey Evans died September 29, 2022,
at her home in Philadelphia at the age of 97.
She was a leading doctor and researcher into childhood cancers, whose work helped us more
effectively treat cancers including neuroblastoma. Evans is also being remembered as a co-founder
of the first Ronald McDonald House, a charity that helps families with children in the hospital.
Journalist Bill Plante died September 28, 2022, at his home in Washington DC. He died
of respiratory failure at the age of 84. He was the senior White House correspondent
for CBS News for more than 30 years. Plante is also being remembered for his coverage
of the Vietnam War. Entrepreneur Maurice Kanbar died August 20,
2022, at his home in San Francisco at the age of 93. His death was reported nationally
this week. He was the creator of Skyy Vodka, developed
as an alternative that would be less likely to cause hangovers.
Kanbar is also being remembered for his many inventions – including the D-Fuzz-It, a
device for removing lint from sweaters. Singer Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson died
September 30, 2022, at his home in Atlanta at the age of 50.
He was a gospel singer known for songs including “Let Go and Let God” and “It Was You.”
Johnson is also being remembered for his work with his father and uncles in the gospel quartet
The Spiritual Voices. Baseball player Hector Lopez died September
29, 2022, of complications from lung cancer at the age of 93.
He played for the Yankees in the 1950s and ‘60s, helping the team to two World Series
victories. Lopez is also being remembered for his later
career, when he became the first Black manager in triple-A baseball, for the Buffalo Bisons.
Football player Marvin Powell died September 30, 2022, of heart failure at the age of 67.
He was an offensive tackle for the New York Jets, and he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
Powell is also being remembered as a College Football Hall of Famer who played for the
University of Southern California. World War II veteran Cleatus Lebow died September
29, 2022, at the age of 98. He was only 19 when he joined the U.S. Navy
in 1943, and was assigned to the USS Indianapolis. He survived a terrible ordeal, when the Indianapolis
was torpedoed in 1945. Only a quarter of the ship’s 1,200 sailors made it home, after
enduring four days in shark-infested waters. Lebow is being remembered as one of the very
last survivors of this horrific incident. Just one of his former crewmates still remains
with us today. Wrestler Antonio Inoki died October 1, 2022,
in Tokyo. He died of transthyretin amyloidosis at the age of 79.
He began wrestling in his native Japan and later wrestled with the WWE and WCW. He also
became a politician in Japan. Inoki is being remembered for an exhibition
match he fought against Muhammed Ali in 1976, an early example of mixed martial arts.
Actress Joan Hotchkis died September 27, 2022, in Los Angeles. She died of congestive heart
failure at the age of 95. She co-starred on TV’s “The Odd Couple”
as Dr. Nancy Cunningham, Oscar’s girlfriend. Hotchkis is also being remembered for roles
on shows including “Bewitched” and “My World and Welcome to It.”
Restaurateur Sylvia Wu died September 29, 2022, at the age of 106.
She owned Madame Wu’s Garden in Santa Monica, California, a hotspot for Hollywood stars
for decades. Wu is being remembered for serving authentic
Chinese food to celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Mae West, and Cary Grant.
World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer died September 30, 2022, at the age of 99.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and served as a tank gunner.
He fired the first shot in the Battle of Cologne, a crucial advance for the Allied forces, and
defeated a German panther tank. Smoyer is being remembered as “The Hero
of Cologne,” and he was honored with a long overdue Bronze Star
in 2019. Jim Redmond died October 2, 2022, at the age
of 81. In 1992, he gave us one of the most inspiring
moments in Olympic history when he helped his injured son, sprinter Derek Redmond, across
the finish line. Redmond is being remembered as a caring father,
who was chosen as a torchbearer for the Olympic flame in the 2012 London Olympics.
Basketball player Tiffany Jackson died October 3, 2022, of breast cancer at the age of 37.
She was a star of the WNBA, playing on teams including the New York Liberty and Tulsa Shock.
Jackson is also being remembered for her college career at the University of Texas, where she
later coached after retiring from the WNBA. Artist Kim Jung Gi died October 3, 2022, in
Paris. He died of a heart attack at the age of 47.
A native of South Korea, he drew comic books including “Tiger the Long Tail” and Marvel’s
“Civil War II.” He is being remembered for creating large,
incredibly detailed drawings from memory in front of live audiences.
Kim was a veteran of the Republic of Korea Army.
Musician Loretta Lynn died October 4, 2022, at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee
at the age of 90. She was a legend of country music whose many
iconic songs include “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “The Pill,” and “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’
with Lovin’ on Your Mind.” Lynn is being remembered for her deep connection
with her fans, and for her signature onstage fashion of elaborate, bejeweled gowns.
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.
At least 113 people have died due to Hurricane Ian, which swept across Cuba, Florida, and
the Carolinas beginning September 27, 2022. 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 New York have been lowered to honor the memory of FDNY EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling,
who died in the line of duty. Flags in Wisconsin have been lowered in honor
of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. Flags in Wyoming have been lowered to honor
the memory of former state representatives Dick Wallis and Clarene Law.
Flags in Nevada have been lowered to honor the memory of the lives lost at the Route
91 Harvest Music Festival, five years ago this week.
Flags in Florida have been lowered to honor the memory of Peter Antonacci, director of
the state’s Office of Election Crimes and Security.
Flags in Massachusetts have been lowered to honor the memory of former State Senate Clerk
William Frederick "Billy" Welch. Flags in Pennsylvania have been lowered to
honor the memory of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Max Baer.
Flags in South Carolina have been lowered to honor the memory of Master Police Officer
Tyrell Owens-Riley of the Columbia Police Department, who died in the line of duty.
Flags in Nebraska have been lowered in observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Service. This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
Five years ago this week, musician Tom Petty died at the age of 66. His many hits included
“Don’t Do Me Like That” and “Free Fallin’.”
Comedian and actor Bernie Mac was born 65 years ago this week. He died in 2008 at the
age of 50. He was known for his TV sitcom, “The Bernie Mac Show,” and for movies
including “Ocean’s Eleven.” Author Jackie Collins was born 85 years ago
this week. She died in 2015 at the age of 77. Her best-selling novels include the wildly
popular “Hollywood Wives.” Cartoonist Bil Keane was born 100 years ago
this week. He died in 2011 at the age of 89. He drew “The Family Circus” for more than
50 years. 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
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