Norman Lear (1922–2023), legendary TV sitcom creator

Norman Lear was a TV sitcom legend who created classic shows including “All in the Family" and “Sanford and Son.” 

Dean Caswell (1922–2022), World War II flying ace

Dean Caswell was the last living U.S. Marine Corps flying ace from World War II.

Pierre Cardin (1922–2020), “Space Age style” fashion designer

Pierre Cardin was a French fashion designer who pioneered Space Age style in the 1960s, popularizing sleek, geometric designs.

Donald Stratton (1922–2020), one of the last survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack

Donald Stratton was a U.S. Navy veteran who survived the attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor in a daring escape from a burning ship. One of the last to escape the USS Arizona as it became engulfed in flames, Stratton was saved by a sailor on a nearby ship who threw a line for him to grab. In later years, Stratton worked to learn the identity of the sailor who helped — Joe George — and lobbied for George to receive the Bronze Star that was posthumously awarded to him in 2017. With Stratton’s death, only two survivors of the USS Arizona remain.

Damon Keith (1922–2019), federal judge promoted equality

Damon Keith was a federal judge with a long and prolific career, serving on the U.S. Court of the Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for more than 40 years. Presiding over courts in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, Keith never retired, serving until his death at 96. His most notable decision was in a 1971 case regarding the Nixon Administration. Nixon's Justice Department was wiretapping people suspected of conspiring to bomb a CIA office, and they were doing it without court orders. Keith ordered them to cease wiretapping without warrants. The Justice Department appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld Keith's decision 8-0. Keith was also known for a 1971 order to desegregate schools in Pontiac, Michigan via bussing, as well as for upholding the affirmative action policy in the Detroit Police Department.

Henry Bloch (1922–2019), co-founder of tax preparation giant H&R Block

The H&R Block founder was a beloved philanthropist in his hometown of Kansas City.

Kay Starr (1922–2016), 1950s jazz and pop singer

Pop and jazz singer popular in the 1950s.

William Schallert (1922–2016), "The Patty Duke Show" dad

Actor played Patty Duke's dad on her eponymous 1960s show.

Blake Edwards Gets Serious

Blake Edwards was known chiefly as a director of comedies. But he also produced some outstanding dramatic fare over the course of his career.