Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths
from social media, as seen at Legacy.com in the third week of August 2022.
Reality TV personality Randy Martin died August 17, 2022, at his home. He died of liver cancer
at the age of 65. He was a star of the DIY Network show “Texas
Flip N Move,” competing to renovate homes. Martin is being remembered as one of the show’s
most frequent competitors. Quarterback Len Dawson died August 24, 2022,
at the age of 87. He was a Hall of Fame quarterback best known
for his seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who he led to victory in Super Bowl IV.
Chiefs head coach Hank Stram called him “the most accurate passer in pro football,” and
he set many longstanding Chiefs records that have only recently been challenged.
Dawson is also being remembered for his career as a broadcaster with the Chiefs and as a
longtime host of “Inside the NFL.” Women’s rights advocate Nafis Sadik died
August 14, 2022, at her home in New York City. She died of congestive heart failure at the
age of 92. She was the first woman to lead a United Nations
agency, the Population Fund. Sadik is being remembered as a champion of
women’s health and reproductive rights. Fashion designer Hanae Mori died August 11,
2022, at her home in Tokyo. She died after a short illness at the age of 96.
She was the first Asian woman to have an haute couture showroom in Paris, showcasing her
designs that blended Western styles with Japanese elements.
Mori is being remembered for her signature butterfly design.
Professional golfer Tom Weiskopf died August 20, 2022, at his home in Big Sky, Montana,
at the age of 79. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020.
He won 16 PGA Tour titles, including the British Open in 1973 and was known for a powerful
swing and fiery temper which earned him the nickname, “The Towering Inferno.”
Weiskopf is also being remembered as the acclaimed designer of dozens of golf courses around
the world. The recent death of recording engineer Ben
Stern was announced this month. He died at the age of 99.
He was the father of superstar radio and TV host Howard Stern, who often quoted his father’s
advice on his popular radio show. Stern is also being remembered for making
appearances on “America’s Got Talent” when his son was one of the hosts.
Drummer Jerry Allison died August 22, 2022, at his home near Nashville at the age of 82.
He was the drummer for Buddy Holly and The Crickets, one of the most influential early
rock ‘n roll bands. Allison is also being remembered as the co-writer
of two of their classic songs: “That’ll Be the Day,” and “Peggy Sue,” named
after his girlfriend and future wife. Author Norah Vincent died July 6, 2022, at
a clinic in Switzerland at the age of 53. Her death was announced publicly this week.
She was known for her bestselling book “Self-Made Man,” detailing a year and a half when she
lived disguised as a man. Vincent is also being remembered for books
including “Voluntary Madness” and “Adeline.” Football coach Gary Gaines died August 22,
2022, of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 73.
He and his Permian High School football team in Odessa, Texas, were immortalized in the
book “Friday Night Lights,” about the football crazy culture in West Texas. The
book inspired a movie and TV series. Gaines is being remembered as a legend of
West Texas football, coaching at eight high schools and two colleges.
Director and animator Gerald Potterton died August 23, 2022, in Cowansville, Quebec, at
the age of 91. He was the director of the animated cult classic
anthology film “Heavy Metal.” Potterton is also being remembered for his
work with the National Film Board of Canada and as an animator on the Beatles’ movie,
“Yellow Submarine.” Actress Virginia Patton died August 18, 2022,
at an assisted living facility in Georgia, at the age of 97.
She appeared in the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” portraying Ruth Bailey,
the sister-in-law of Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey.
Patton is also being remembered as the niece of famous World War II general, George S.
Patton. Actor Joe E. Tata died August 25, 2022, at
the age of 85. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018.
He is best known for playing Nat, the owner of the Peach Pit on “Beverly Hills, 90210”
for the show’s full 10-season run. Tata is also being remembered for his other
work in television, including “The Rockford Files,” “No Time for Sergeants,” and
the 1960s “Batman” series. You may not know that ANY family can place
an obituary on Legacy in honor of a loved one’s memory. 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 New Jersey have been lowered to honor the memory of Assemblywoman Maureen Ogden.
Flags in North Carolina have been lowered to honor the memory of state employee Anna
Bradshaw. Flags in Kansas have been lowered to honor
the memory of Kansas Representative Gail Finney. Flags in Virginia have been lowered to honor
the memory of USMC Montford Point Marine Wallace Green, Jr.
Flags in Florida have been lowered to honor the memory of Miami-Dade Detective Cesar “Echy”
Echaverry who died from injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Flags in Delaware have been lowered to honor the memory of Senator Richard Cordrey.
This week also marks several notable anniversaries. Five years ago this week, comedian and actor
Jerry Lewis died of end-stage cardiac disease at the age of 91.
Ten years ago this week, astronaut Neil Armstrong died of complications from surgery at the
age of 82. Ten years ago this week, comedian and actress
Phyllis Diller died in her sleep at the age of 95.
Musician Joe Strummer of the Clash was born 70 years ago this week. He died in 2002, of
a heart attack at the age of 50. Singer and songwriter Isaac Hayes was born
80 years ago this week. He died in 2008, of a stroke at the age of 65.
Filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles was born 90 years ago this week. He died in 2021, at the age
of 89. Dancer and actor Gene Kelly was born 110 years
ago this week. He died in 1996, of a stroke at the age of 83.
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.