Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths,
as seen at Legacy.com in the first week of February 2022.
Musician Syl Johnson died February 6, 2022 at the age of 85.
He was a soul and blues singer and guitarist, known for songs including “Different Strokes”
and “Take Me to the River.” Johnson is being remembered as one of the
most sampled artists ever. His music has been sampled in songs by the Wu-Tang Clan, Public
Enemy, and Kanye West. YouTuber Josh Neuman died February 4, 2022,
in Iceland. He died in a small plane crash at the age of 22.
Millions of people watched his skateboarding videos, often filmed along dangerous routes
in beautiful places around the world. Neuman is also being remembered for founding
the skateboard company NeuVision, as well as a clothing line with all profits going
to support clean water for people in need. Basketball coach Bill Fitch died February
2, 2022, in Lake Conroe, Texas at the age of 89.
He was head coach for the Boston Celtics, taking them to the NBA championship in 1981.
He is also being remembered for coaching other teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers – he
became their first head coach when the team was established in 1970.
Fitch was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a drill instructor.
Journalist Robin Herman died February 1, 2022, at her home in Waltham, Massachusetts. She
died of ovarian cancer at the age of 70. She became one of the first two women allowed
to interview male professional athletes in a locker room when she covered the 1975 NHL
All-Star Game. Herman is being remembered for breaking down
an important gender barrier in her profession and opening doors for other women in journalism.
Civil rights activist Arnie Kantrowitz died January 21, 2022, in New York City. He died
of complications of COVID-19 at the age of 81.
He was a pioneer of the LGBTQ rights movement and a founder of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation, better known as GLAAD. Kantrowitz is also being remembered as one
of the first college professors to develop a gay studies course.
Children’s author Ashley Bryan died February 4, 2022, at his niece’s home in Texas at
the age of 98. He wrote and illustrated award-winning books
including “Beautiful Blackbird,” “Let it Shine,” and “Freedom Over Me.”
He is being remembered for his powerful stories of the Black experience, from Africa to slavery
in America to modern times. Bryan was a U.S. Army veteran of World War
II. He told stories of carrying drawing materials in his gas mask and sketching scenes from
Omaha Beach on D-Day. Animal rescuer Martine Colette died January
23, 2022, at a hospital in Lake Havasu, Arizona. She died of lung cancer at the age of 79.
She founded Wildlife Waystation, one of the first sanctuaries for wild and exotic animals.
Colette is being remembered for saving the lives of exotic animals that had been kept
as pets or exhibited in shows, as well as those that couldn’t survive in the wild.
Filmmaker Douglas Trumbull died February 7, 2022, of complications of mesothelioma at
the age of 79. He created groundbreaking visual effects for
movies including “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,”
and “Blade Runner.” Trumbull is also being remembered for directing
the films “Silent Running” and “Brainstorm,” and for creating the Back to the Future ride
for the Universal Studios theme parks. Singer Betty Davis died February 9, 2022,
in Homestead, Pennsylvania at the age of 76. Her influential music, recorded in the ‘60s
and ‘70s, blended hard rock and funk, leading to her nickname, the Queen of Funk.
Davis is being remembered as an inspiration to musicians including Miles Davis, to whom
she was briefly married, as well as Jimi Hendrix and Prince.
Baseball player Jeremy Giambi died February 9, 2022, at his parents’ home in Claremont,
California at the age of 47. He played in the 1990s and 2000s for years
including the Oakland A’s and Kansas City Royals.
Giambi is being remembered as one of the players included in the book and movie, “Moneyball.”
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 California have been lowered to honor
the memory of Fowler Police Department Sergeant Arthur Duron and Army Specialist Alex J. Ram.
Flags in Alaska have been lowered to honor the memory of former State legislator Martin
Moore Sr. Flags in Hawaii have been lowered to honor
the memory of former representative Ezra Kanoho. Flags in Alabama have been lowered to honor
the memory of Greene County Commissioner Lester “Bop” Brown.
Flags in Oregon have been lowered to honor the memory of St. Paul Fire District volunteer
firefighter Austin Smith, who died in the line of duty.
Flags in Georgia have been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal
Jonathan GUR kee. Flags in West Virginia have been lowered to
honor the memory of U.S. Marine Corps Private First-Class Zachary Wayne “Zach” Riffle
and former state Delegate and kNAWa County Commissioner Henry “Hoppy” Shores.
Flags in Indiana have been lowered to honor the memory of Carrol County Sheriff’s Deputy
Noah C. Rainey and Carroll County Corrections Deputy Dane G. Northcutt.
Flags in Arizona have been lowered to honor the memory of Maricopa County Superior Court
Judge Rosa Mroz. Flags in Washington have been lowered to honor
the memory of Vancouver Police Officer Donald Sahota.
Flags in Tennessee have been lowered to honor the memory of Loudon County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant Chris Jenkins, who lost his life while serving in the line of duty.
Flags in New Jersey have been lowered to honor the memory of Judge Barbara A. Curran.
Flags in Michigan have been lowered to honor the memory of Flint Police Captain Collin
Birnie, who passed away in the line of duty. This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
Ten years ago this week, singer and actress Whitney Houston died by drowning at the age
of 48. Fifteen years ago this week, model and actress
Anna Nicole Smith died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 39.
Thirty years ago this week, author Alex Haley died of a heart attack at the age of 70.
Actress Audrey Meadows was born 100 years ago this week. She died in 1996, of lung cancer
at the age of 73. 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.