Benny Golson (1929–2024), jazz saxophonist and composer

Benny Golson was a tenor saxophonist and composer whose work helped define the sound of hard bop and whose compositions have since become standards in the world of jazz.

Walt Wesley (1945–2024), former NBA player and Kansas Jayhawk 

Walt Wesley was a 10-year NBA veteran anda star player with the University of Kansas Jayhawks.

Craig Roh (1991–2024), University of Michigan star and NFL player 

Craig Roh was a star defensive end at the University of Michigan who went on to play with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL and several teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Jack Axelrod (1930–2023), General Hospital mob boss Victor Jerome

Jack Axelrod was an actor who was best known for playing mob boss Victor Jerome in the daytime soap General Hospital in the 1980s.

Tim Dorsey (1961–2023), Serge A. Storms author 

Tim Dorsey was the author of the Serge A. Storms series of comedy crime novels.

Leny Andrade (1943–2023), known as the First Lady of Brazilian Jazz

Leny Andrade was a singer and musician whose incredible blend of bossa nova and jazz vocal improvisations garnered her the nickname “First Lady of Brazilian Jazz.” 

Leiji Matsumoto (1938–2023), Manga legend 

Leiji Matsumoto was a Japanese manga and anime creator best known for “Space Battleship Yamato” (a.k.a. “Star Blazers”) and “Galaxy Express 999.” 

Jay Briscoe (1984–2023), Ring of Honor wrestler

Jay Briscoe was a pro wrestler who was part of the Briscoe Brothers tag team for Ring of Honor (ROH).

Ted White (1925–2022), stuntman and Jason Voorhees actor

Ted White was a stuntman and actor who played Jason Voorhees in “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.”

Don Maynard (1935–2022), legendary New York Jets receiver

Don Maynard was a Hall of Fame receiver for the New York Jets who was a member of the Jets team that upset the Colts to win Super Bowl III.

Gregory Sierra (1937–2021), co-starred in “Barney Miller,” “Sanford and Son”

Gregory Sierra was an actor best known for his roles in the sitcoms “Barney Miller” and “Sanford and Son.”

Constance Weldon (1932–2020), pioneering tuba player

Constance Weldon was a pioneering tuba player believed to be the first woman to play the tuba in a major American orchestra when she joined the Boston Pops in 1955.

Audrey Wells (1960–2018), screenwriter of “The Hate U Give”

Writer and director of “Under the Tuscan Sun.”

Gloria Naylor (1950–2016), The Women of Brewster Place author

Gloria Naylor, the award-winning novelist who authored "The Women of Brewster Place," died Sept. 28, 2016, according to multiple news sources including Ebony Magazine. She was 66.

Conrad Burns (1935 - 2016)

Former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns of Montana died April 28 of natural causes at his home in Billings, Montana, according to multiple news sources. He was 81. The death was announced by Montana Republican Party Executive Director Jeff Essman. The three-term senator won his seat in 1988 in a close election, but he was re-elected in a landslide in 1994, the first Republican U.S. senator to be re-elected in Montana. Burns used his influence on the U.S. Senate's Appropriations Committee to develop energy policies and manage public lands in the country's Western region.

Gregg Palmer (1927 - 2015), actor in TV Westerns

Actor Gregg Palmer, who appeared on many TV Westerns as well as in films, has died, according to multiple news sources. Palmer, who died Saturday, Oct. 31, in Encino, California, was 88.

Etta James, From Sweet to Raunchy

Happy birthday to the honey-voiced legend.

Steve Prefontaine: Going the Distance

Steve Prefontaine was America's first long distance running superstar before his death in 1975 at 24. What he achieved in his short life is inspiring.