2024 Passings

Jimmy Carter  - 39^th President.  Died Dec. 29^th,  Age 100

Jimmy Carter passed away just as 2024 was coming to a close.  His legacy is probably measured more by what he did after being in office than during.  What a remarkable life … including being married for 77 years!

Made me wonder who else of note we lost in 2024 … given that you and I aren’t on that list.  So here’s a few of the most notable passings during the year.  Not an upbeat way to bring in the New Year but hopefully 2025 is another one without our names appearing!!!

Phil Donahue   — The daytime talk show host died Aug. 18 at 88.

Shelley Duvall   — “The Shining” actress, also known for her work in Robert Altman films and “Fairy Tale Theater,” died July 11 at 75.

Duane Eddy  — The twangy guitarist known for “Peter Gunn” and more died April 30 at 86.

Teri Garr  — Comedy actress known for roles in “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie” died Oct. 29 at 79.

Mitzi Gaynor   — “South Pacific” actress who also appeared in musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly died Oct. 17 at 93.

Louis Gossett Jr.   — Emmy-winning “Roots,” “Iron Eagle” actor who was the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar died March 28 at 87.

Jack Jones   — The Grammy-winning singer of “The Love Boat” theme song and “Lollipops and Roses” died Oct. 23 at 86. (He also sang "Wives and Lovers" which is about as sexist as our generation could be in those days!)

James Earl Jones    — The deep-voiced actor known for “Field of Dreams,” “The Lion King,” “The Sandlot” and as Darth Vader in “Star Wars” died Sept. 9 at 93. (I can still hear his heavy breathing in Star Wars!)

Quincy Jones   — Legendary musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and hundreds of others died Nov. 3 at 91.

Kris Kristofferson    — Country music legend and actor died Sept. 28 at 88.

Sergio Mendes  — Grammy-winning Brazilian music legend known for the global hit “Mas Que Nada” (If you don't recognize that then try "Fool On The Hill" but I bet if you listened to "Mas ..." you'd be "obaing" right along with them!)

Peter Marshall      — The actor-singer-turned-game show host who was on “The Hollywood Squares” for 16 years died Aug. 15 at 98.

Willie Mays  — Baseball legend known as “The Say Hey Kid” died June 18 at 93.  died Sept. 5 at 83. (If you lived in the Bay Area like some of us, you'd never get enough of Willie!)

Martin Mull  — Actor known for “Roseanne,” “Arrested Development” and “Clue” died June 27 at 80.

Bob Newhart   — Comedian and actor known for “The Bob Newhart Short,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Elf” and more, died July 18 at 94.

Charles Osgood   — “CBs Sunday Morning” anchor and host of “The Osgood File” died Jan. 23 at 91.  (He started "Sunday Morning" when it became one of the best shows on all of TV until they couldn't stay away from their myopic political commentary in recent years.)

 “Chi Chi” Rodriguez   — Hall of Fame golfer known for his antics on the course died Aug. 8 at 88 (Chi Chi had this routine he did with his putter using it like a sword and then shoving it into it's imaginary scabbard.)

Pete Rose  — Baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol after gambling on the game he loved, died Sept. 30 at 83. (I don't care if he bet on games or not.  He was one of the top 10 or 20 baseball players of all time and there is no doubt he should be in the Hall of Fame!)

 Richard Simmons  — The fitness guru known for his hyperactive personality and trademark tank tops and short shorts died July 13 at 76.

O.J. Simpson   — Buffalo Bills football legend and actor, who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but later found liable in a separate civil trial, died April 10 at 76. (The only sad part of his life is that he wasn't convicted, glove or no glove!)

Maggie Smith   — Oscar-winning actress known for “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey” died Sept. 27 at 89. (And here one of the classiest women of all time follows a scum like OJ!)

Donald Sutherland  — The actor known for “M*A*S*H,” “The Hunger Games,” “JFK” and more died June 20 at 88.

Bill Walton   — The NBA legend and longtime basketball broadcaster died May 27 at 71.

Carl Weathers    — The former NFL linebacker and actor, best known for roles in “Rocky” (as boxer Apollo Creed), “Predator” and “Happy Gilmore,” died Feb. 1 at 76.  (The fight was fixed!  Nobody could beat Apollo!!!)

Jerry West   — Basketball Hall of Famer who inspired the NBA logo died June 12 at 86.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer   — Sex therapist, media star and best-selling author died July 12 at 96. (And here I went to John Griebel for sex advice!  Little did I know I should have tried my German teacher!!!)

Notice the age of most of the people, EXCEPT MANY OF THE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES!!!  They are mostly well over 80 years old!  Maybe that's a good oman for us who decided not to pursue our sports fantasies!

Every life matters.  Classmates that we know of who passed in 2024 include Ted Giencke, Randy Oloizia, Ron Chesnik, Melody Jones Parker and Tom Gajewski.  Let's keep moving folks and make sure we're our name isn't around a negative list in 2025!  We've got miles to go before we sleep, well at least a few hundreds blocks!

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