Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reported at Legacy.com, the fourth
week of December 2022 and the first week of January 2023.
Legacy.com is where you can find any obituary, or publish an obituary in any newspaper in
America, and beyond. Soccer player Pelé died December 29, 2022,
in Sao Paulo at the age of 82. He was an icon of his sport and one of the
greatest athletes of all time, who was named Athlete of the Century by the International
Olympic Committee in 1999. Pelé is being remembered for leading the
Brazilian national team to three World Cup victories, more than any other player.
Journalist Barbara Walters died December 30, 2022, at her home in New York City at the
age of 93. Known for hundreds of interviews with fascinating
people, she was the longtime anchor of “20/20” and the creator and co-host of “The View.”
Walters is being remembered as a trailblazer for women in TV news, the first woman to anchor
a prime-time news program. Actress Diane McBain died December 21, 2022,
at the Motion Picture Country Home in Los Angeles. She died of liver cancer at the age
of 81. She starred opposite Elvis Presley in the
1966 movie “Spinout.” McBain is also being remembered for TV roles
including Daphne Dutton on “Surfside 6” and Pinky Pinkston on “Batman.”
Football player Ronnie Hillman died December 21, 2022, after fighting kidney cancer at
the age of 31. He was a running back who helped the Denver
Broncos to victory at Super Bowl 50. Hillman is also being remembered for his college
career at San Diego State and his seasons playing for the Minnesota Vikings and San
Diego Chargers. Chef Ali Ahmed Aslam died December 19, 2022,
in Glasgow, Scotland. He died of septic shock and organ failure at the age of 77.
A native of Pakistan who grew up in Scotland, he is credited with inventing chicken tikka
masala at his restaurant, Shish Mahal. Aslam is being remembered for creating “Britain’s
favorite curry.” Inventor Jim Fosgate died December 7, 2022,
at the age of 85. He created the first car stereo amplifier
in 1973, revolutionizing audio on the go. Fosgate is also being remembered for his key
role in the development of surround sound for home TV sets, for which he won an Emmy
Award. Mixed martial artist Stephan Bonnar died December
22, 2022, at the age of 45. His 2005 fight against Forrest Griffin is
considered the most important bout in UFC history, one that brought new attention and
fans to the sport. Bonnar is also being remembered for his color
commentary on ESPN for MMA fights. Pro golfer Kathy Whitworth died December 24,
2022, in Flower Mound, Texas, at the age of 83.
She was the winningest pro golfer in history, with 88 LPGA Tour victories in her career.
Whitworth is also being remembered as the first female golfer to reach one million dollars
in tour winnings. Farmer Don Christopher died December 12, 2022,
at the age of 88. He was the owner of Christopher Ranch, the
country’s largest producer of garlic, and he helped turn garlic from an exotic ingredient
in the U.S. to a kitchen staple. Christopher is also being remembered as a
co-founder of the famed Gilroy Garlic Festival. Musician Walter “Wolfman” Washington died
December 22, 2022, in New Orleans. He died of cancer at the age of 79.
He was a guitarist who led the popular New Orleans bar band the Roadmasters.
Washington is being remembered as a fixture of New Orleans nightlife, loved by locals
and tourists alike. Musician Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley died
December 27, 2022, of an asthma attack at the age of 31.
He was a reggae musician known for songs including “Made It” and “No Way Out.”
Marley is also being remembered as the grandson of Bob Marley and the son of Stephen Marley.
Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood died December 29, 2022, in London at the age of 81.
She had a profound influence on the look of the punk scene as she styled bands including
the Sex Pistols. Westwood is being remembered for decades of
fashions, including Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding gown in “Sex and the City.”
Musician Ian Tyson died December 29, 2022, at his ranch in Alberta at the age of 89.
As half of the folk duo Ian & Sylvia, he wrote and sang the beloved folk music standard “Four
Strong Winds.” Tyson is also being remembered as a pioneer
of country rock with his band, Great Speckled Bird.
Pope Benedict the 16th died December 31, 2022, at his home in the Vatican at the age of 95.
He became pope in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II, and one of his earliest
acts was to begin the process of making his popular predecessor a saint.
Benedict is being remembered for his unusual choice to voluntarily resign from the papacy
in 2013 – he was the first pope to do so in more than 700 years.
Singer Anita Pointer died December 31, 2022, at her home in Los Angeles. She died of cancer
at the age of 74. She was a founding member of the Pointer Sisters,
the popular group that had smash hits in the ‘80s, including “Jump (for My Love).”
Pointer is being remembered for singing lead vocals on many of their hits, including “Slow
Hand” and “I’m So Excited.” Football player Uche Nwaneri
died December 30, 2022, at his wife’s home in West Lafayette, Indiana at the age of 38.
He was an offensive guard with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2007 to 2013.
Nwaneri is also being remembered for his college football career at Purdue.
Musician Jeremiah Green died December 31, 2022, of cancer at the age of 45.
He was the drummer for the indie rock band Modest Mouse, playing on hits including “Dashboard”
and “Lampshades on Fire.” Green is being remembered for his influential
and unique playing style. YouTube star Keenan Cahill died December 29,
2022, after open-heart surgery at the age of 27.
Millions of people watched him lip sync to hit songs on YouTube, some of the earliest
viral videos. Cahill is being remembered for the celebrity
appearances in his videos, from Katy Perry to 50 Cent to Justin Bieber.
Musician Fred White died January 1, 2023, at the age of 67.
He was the drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire in the 1970s and ‘80s, joining his brothers,
founding members Maurice and Verdine White. White is being remembered for his drumming
on beloved hits including “Shining Star” and “September.”
Rapper Gangsta Boo died January 1, 2023, at her home in Memphis at the age of 43.
She was a member of the influential hip hop group Three 6 Mafia.
Gangsta Boo is also being remembered for her solo career, in which she collaborated with
artists including Eminem and Run the Jewels. Astronaut Walter Cunningham died January 3,
2023, in Houston. He died of complications from a fall at the age of 90.
He was the last surviving crew member of Apollo 7, a 1968 mission that included important
preparation for the Moon landing. He is being remembered for taking part in
the first television broadcast from space, for which the crew won an Emmy Award.
Cunningham was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, a fighter pilot who served for three
years before remaining in the Marine Corps Reserve for another 19 years.
Businessman James “Buster” Corley died January 2, 2023, at a hospital in the Dallas
area at the age of 72. He was the co-founder of Dave & Buster’s,
a restaurant chain that includes extensive video arcades.
Corley is being remembered for his innovative business idea.
NFL referee Art McNally died January 1, 2023, at a hospital in Newtown, Pennsylvania. He
died of natural causes at the age of 97. After refereeing football games for nine years,
he was made the NFL’s director of officiating, and he introduced the league’s first instant
replay system. He is being remembered as the first referee
in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, inducted just months before his death.
McNally was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, who refereed his first football
game while serving in Japan. Rally driver Ken Block died January 2, 2023,
near his ranch in Woodland, Utah. He died in a snowmobile accident at the age of 55.
He founded the Monster World Rally Team, later named Hoonigan Racing Division. He was also
a co-founder of DC Shoes. Block is being remembered for his gymkhana
videos on YouTube, where millions of people watched him race and drift through exciting
obstacle courses on city streets. 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 91 people died in the U.S. and Canada
in a winter storm that began on December 21, 2022. Many of those who died were in the Buffalo,
New York area, though deaths were reported in at least 19 other states and one province.
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 Wisconsin have been lowered to honor
the memory of U.S. Postal Service mail carrier Aundre Cross.
Flags in Virginia have been lowered to honor the memory of Brodnax County Police Chief
Joseph Edward Carey, Sr. Flags in Wyoming have been lowered to honor
the memory of Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Bruce Lang, who died in the line
of duty, and state Supreme Court Justice Richard Macy.
Flags in Arkansas have been lowered to honor the memory of Detective Paul Newell of the
Benton County Sheriff's Office, who died in the line of duty.
Flags in Georgia have been lowered to honor the memory of Judge of the Court of Appeals
of Georgia, Clyde Reese. Flags in Connecticut have been lowered to
honor the memory of North Haven Firefighter Matthias Wirtz, who died in the line of duty,
and State Representative Quentin “Q” Williams. Flags in Delaware have been lowered to honor
the memory of former Elsmere Town Manager, Elsmere Chief of Police, and past president
of Elsmere Fire Company, John S. Giles, Jr. Flags in California have been lowered to honor
the memory of Riverside County Sheriff’s Motor Deputy Isaiah Albert Cordero, who died
in the line of duty. Flags in Florida have been lowered to honor
the memory of Corporal Ray Hamilton of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, who died
in the line of duty. Flags in Illinois have been lowered to honor
the memory of Firefighter Brian Rehnberg of the North Park Fire Department.
Flags in North Carolina have been lowered to honor the memory of former state Representative
Walter Stine Isenhower. Flags in South Carolina have been lowered
to honor the memory of longtime Mayor of the City of Aiken, Frederick B. “Fred” Cavanaugh,
Jr., and former state Secretary of Commerce Joe E. Taylor, Jr.
Flags in Rhode Island have been lowered to honor the memory of former Governor Lincoln
Almond. Flags in Pennsylvania have been lowered to
honor the memory of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire, who died in the line of duty.
Flags in Kansas have been lowered to honor the memory of former state Attorney General
Robert Stephan. The past two weeks also mark several notable
anniversaries. Ten years ago this week, singer and actress
Patti Page died at the age of 85. Her signature song, “Tennessee Waltz,” was one of the
top selling singles of the 20th century. Twenty five years ago this week, singer, actor,
and politician Sonny Bono died at the age of 62. Alongside Cher, he starred on a popular
TV variety show and had hits including “I Got You Babe” before becoming a U.S. congressman.
Thirty years ago this week, musician Dizzy Gillespie died at the age of 75. The jazz
trumpet virtuoso was known for his puffed-out cheeks and bent horn.
Fifty years ago last week, baseball player Roberto Clemente died at the age of 38. He
was a 15-time All-Star with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the first Latin American player
in the Hall of Fame. Musician and actor Michael Nesmith was born
80 years ago last week. He died in 2021 at the age of 78. He was a member of the Monkees
and a pioneer of country rock with the First National Band.
Actress Ava Gardner was born 100 years ago last week. She died in 1990 at the age of
67. She starred in movies including “Show Boat” and “Night of the Iguana.”
Writer and publisher Stan Lee was born 100 years ago last week. He died in 2018 at the
age of 95. The driving force behind Marvel Comics, he co-created iconic characters including
Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the X Men. 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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