Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reported at Legacy.com, the first
week of February 2023. Legacy.com is where you can find any obituary,
or publish an obituary in any newspaper in America, and beyond.
Singer Charlie Thomas died January 31, 2023, at his home in Bowie, Maryland. He died of
liver cancer at the age of 85. He was a member of the legendary doo-wop group
the Drifters, known for hits including “Under the Boardwalk.”
Thomas is being remembered for singing lead on the singles “Sweets for My Sweet” and
“When My Little Girl Is Smiling.” Actress Melinda Dillon died January 9, 2023,
at the age of 83. Her death was announced this week.
She was part of a beloved holiday classic movie, playing Mother Parker in “A Christmas
Story.” Dillon is also being remembered for movies
including “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Slap Shot,” “Magnolia,”
and “Harry and the Hendersons.” Professional wrestler Lanny Poffo died February
2, 2023, at the age of 68. He was known for his funny poetry when he
wrestled for the WWE as Leaping Lanny and the Genius.
Poffo is being remembered as the brother of wrestling legend “Macho Man” Randy Savage
and the son of pro wrestler Angelo Poffo. Fashion designer Paco Rabanne died February
3, 2023, at his home in France at the age of 88.
His space-age fashion was influential in the ‘60s, featuring avant-garde creations of
metal and plastic. Rabanne is also being remembered for fragrances
including 1 Million and XS. Actor Charles Kimbrough died January 11, 2023,
in Culver City, California at the age of 86. His death was announced this week.
He was best known for playing news anchor Jim Dial on the ‘80s and ‘90s sitcom “Murphy
Brown.” Kimbrough is also being remembered as the
voice of Victor the gargoyle in the Disney movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
Actor George R. Robertson died January 29, 2023, at a hospital in Toronto at the age
of 89. He was best known for playing Chief Hurst
in the first six “Police Academy” movies. Robertson is also being remembered for small
roles in movies including “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Airport,” and “JFK.”
Writer Ted Bell died January 20, 2023, in Hartford, Connecticut. He died of an intracerebral
hemorrhage at the age of 76. He was the author of the best-selling Alex
Hawke series of spy novels, which he began writing after retiring from a successful career
in advertising. Bell is also being remembered for his Nick
McIver series of time travel novels for young readers.
Lawyer Harry Whittington died February 4, 2023, at his home in Austin, Texas. He died
of complications from a fall at the age of 95.
In 2006, he was part of a story that dominated headlines when he was accidentally shot by
Vice President Dick Cheney on a hunting trip. Whittington is being remembered as a prominent
Texas Republican who successfully fought for meaningful prison reform in his state.
Set designer Eugene Lee died February 6, 2023, in Providence, Rhode Island. He died after
a brief illness at the age of 83. He was the production designer for “Saturday
Night Live” from the show’s 1975 debut until his death, creating sets for beloved
sketches including the Church Lady and “More Cowbell.”
Lee is also being remembered as a three-time Tony Award winner, for his sets for “Wicked,”
“Sweeney Todd,” and “Candide.” Songwriter Burt Bacharach died February 8,
2023, at his home in Los Angeles. He died at the age of 94.
One of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century, he wrote pop classics including “Close
to You,” “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” and “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on
My Head.” He is being remembered for his longtime collaboration
with Dionne Warwick – he wrote many of her hits, such as “Anyone Who Had a Heart,”
“I Say a Little Prayer,” and “That’s What Friends Are For.”
Bacharach was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the 1950s.
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.
On Monday, February 6, Turkey and Syria were struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. More
than 20,000 people were killed. Search efforts are still underway, and that number is likely
to change in the days and weeks following this video.
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 Minnesota have been lowered in recognition
of Four Chaplains Day. Flags in North Carolina have been lowered
to honor the memory of former state Senator Jerry W. Tillman.
Flags in New Jersey have been lowered to honor the memory of Councilwoman Eunice JUM-for.
Flags in Pennsylvania have been lowered to honor the memory of McKeesport Officer-Patrolman
Sean SLOO-gan-ski, who died in the line of duty.
Flags in Massachusetts have been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Navy Petty Officer
Matthew Capeless. This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
Fifteen years ago this week, actor Roy Scheider died at the age of 75. He starred in “Jaws”
and was Oscar nominated for “The French Connection” and “All That Jazz.”
Fifteen years ago this week, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died at the age of 90. Known as the “giggling
guru” for his tendency to laugh during interviews, he developed Transcendental Meditation and
shared the practice around the world. Twenty-five years ago this week, musician
Falco, born Johann Hölzel, died at the age of 40. He had an international number one
hit in 1986 with “Rock Me Amadeus.” Forty years ago this week, musician Karen
Carpenter died at the age of 32. She and her brother were the pop duo the Carpenters, known
for hits including “Top of the World” and Burt Bacharach’s “Close to You.”
Actor Gary Coleman was born 55 years ago this week. He died in 2010 at the age of 42. He
was one of the most beloved child stars of the ‘80s as the star of the sitcom “Diff’rent
Strokes.” Actor Conrad Bain was born 100 years ago this
week. He died in 2013 at the age of 89. He was a sitcom star in “Maude” who went
on to play Gary Coleman’s adoptive father in “Diff’rent Strokes.”
Civil rights icon Rosa Parks was born 110 years ago this week. She died in 2005 at the
age of 92. Her refusal to give up her seat on a city bus was a pivotal moment in the
struggle for equal rights. There are many more celebrity anniversaries
this week, and we pay tribute to them in a video titled, "These 6 Beloved Celebrities
Died of Heart Disease," part of our new Tuesday video series.
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.