Bobby Dillon (1930–2019), legendary Packers safety

Career leader in interceptions for Green Bay was blind in one eye.

Haley Smith (1992–2019), “American Idol” contestant in season 11

Haley Smith, a season 11 contestant on “American Idol,” wowed the judges with her soulful performance of Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good.”

Terrance Dicks (1935–2019), beloved Doctor Who writer

Stories he crafted introduced the Time Lords, the Master, and the Fourth Doctor.

Jeff Blackshear (1969–2019), former NFL offensive lineman

Jeff Blackshear was an offensive lineman who played with the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, and Green Bay Packers. The guard started every game for the Ravens from 1997 until 1999. He was drafted by the Seahawks out of Northeast Louisiana University in the eighth round.

Frances Crowe (1919–2019), prominent peace activist

Arrested about 100 times for her activism and protests, she said 100 times was "Not enough."

Odessa, Texas Shooting Victims (2019)

Six people were killed, and at least 25 injured, as a gunman traveled down Interstate 20 and Highway 191 between Odessa and Midland, Texas, shooting drivers and pedestrians.

Valerie Harper (1939–2019), star of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda"

Valerie Harper was the Emmy-winning actress who starred in TV's "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda," playing the colorful and spunky Rhoda Morgenstern. She also appeared in movies including “Freebie and the Bean” and “Chapter Two,” for which she received Golden Globe nominations, and she was Tony-nominated for her work on Broadway.

Jim Langer (1948–2019), Dolphins Hall of Fame center

Jim Langer, Hall of Fame center for the Miami Dolphins of the 1970s, died Thursday, August 29, 2019, according to multiple news sources. He was 71.

Jim Leavelle (1920–2019), police officer was escorting Lee Harvey Oswald when he was shot

James R. “Jim” Leavelle was a Dallas Police Department homicide detective who was escorting Lee Harvey Oswald when he was shot by Jack Ruby. Oswald, who had assassinated President John F. Kennedy two days earlier, died shortly after the shooting. In the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of the moment Ruby shot Oswald, Leavelle is prominent, a tall man wearing a tan suit and Stetson hat, handcuffed to Oswald and reacting with shock. Leavelle later said that he had seen Ruby out of the corner of his eye and had tried to get Oswald behind him, but he was too late. Prior to his service with the Dallas Police Department, Leavelle had served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked in December 7, 1941. Leavelle retired from the police department in 1976 and went on to found a polygraph business.

Baxter Leach (2019), helped organize 1968 Memphis sanitation strike

Leach became the public face of the sanitation workers in later years, sharing their story around the country.

Jessi Combs (1980–2019), “fastest woman on four wheels”

Co-host of “Xtreme 4x4” died attempting to break her own land speed record.

Kip Addotta (1944–2019), “The Tonight Show” comedian

Appeared on the Dr. Demento radio show and “The Midnight Special.”

Pedro Bell (1950–2019), Funkadelic album cover artist

Pedro Bell was the self-taught artist who created some of Funkadelic’s most iconic album covers. Bell also wrote liner notes for the albums under the name Sir Lleb, and his intricate images and text helped shape Funkadelic’s unique aesthetic. A fan of Funkadelic’s early music, the Chicago native reached out to their record label in the early 1970s to show them his artwork and ask if it could be used for the band. George Clinton, Funkadelic’s bandleader, liked Bell’s work so much that he asked him to design the cover for their next album, 1973’s “Cosmic Slop.” Bell went on to design covers for a number of Funkadelic’s albums, including their most successful, 1978’s “One Nation Under a Groove.” Fans pored over Bell’s richly detailed covers, finding something new every time they looked. Bell also designed album covers for Clinton’s solo work, as well as working day jobs as a postal worker and security guard.

Neal Casal (1968–2019), renowned guitar player

Influential roots rock guitarist played with Willie Nelson and Shooter Jennings.

Al Haynes (1931–2019), heroic pilot of United Flight 232

After engine and hydraulic failure, he helped guide his DC-10 to a miraculous emergency landing.

David Koch (1940–2019), industrialist who funded conservative politics

David Koch, an industrialist who funded conservative politics, died Friday, August 23, 2019, according to multiple news sources. He was 79.

Celso Pina (1953–2019), legendary Mexican accordionist

Celso Pina was a legendary Mexican accordionist and singer known as “The Accordion Rebel.” He taught himself to play the accordion with no formal training. Pina was a very important musician in the genre of Cumbia music. He was a pioneer in combining tropical music with modern music such as hip-hop, reggae, ska, and other music styles. He released more than 20 albums in his career and toured around the world, including the United States.

Larry Taylor (1942–2019), Canned Heat bassist

Performed at Woodstock and recorded with the Monkees and Tom Waits.

Cedric Benson (1982–2019), former NFL running back

Cedric Benson was a star running back for the University of Texas who was the first draft choice of the Chicago Bears in 2005. Benson was a legendary back in Texas who was a high school superstar at Midland Lee and rushed for over 5,000 yards at the University of Texas. Benson had a tough 3-year stint with the Bears due to injuries and disagreements with coaches. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008 and rushed for over 1,000 yards three out of four seasons. He retired from injuries while with the Packers in 2012.

Richard Williams (1933–2019), “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” animator

Won an Oscar for best visual effects for his work on the film.

Peter Fonda (1940–2019), Hollywood counterculture icon starred in “Easy Rider”

Son of Hollywood legend Henry, brother of Jane, and father of Bridget Fonda.

Gerry Murray (1920–2019), roller derby star

Gerry Murray was a roller derby starin the sports early days who returned as a grandmother in her 50s.

Barbara March (1953–2019), played Lursa Duras in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Deep Space Nine”

Barbara March was an actress best known for playing Lursa, one of the Klingon Duras sisters, in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and the feature film “Star Trek Generations.”

Dave Parks (1941–2019), former 49ers and Saints star receiver

One of only three wide receivers ever selected first overall in the NFL draft.

Ernie Colon (1923–2019), legendary comic book artist

Artist for Richie Rich, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and co-creator of Arak, Son of Thunder.

Toni Morrison Changed Literature and the World: A Tribute

When we speak these days of “queens,” it is a sweet and well-meaning hyperbole. Beyonce is a queen. Your girlfriend is a queen. We get that those instances are a caprice. But when you use the word in relation to Toni Morrison, it must be said with all of the qualities the word “queen” possesses.

Toni Morrison (1931–2019), Nobel Prize-winning author of “Beloved”

Toni Morrison was the Nobel Prize-winning author of best-selling novels including “Beloved,” “Song of Solomon,” and “The Bluest Eye.” Her critically acclaimed books told powerful stories of black lives in America, from the time of slavery through modern days. “Beloved” (1987) won the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award, while “Song of Solomon” (1977) had the distinction of being the first book by a black author chosen as a main selection of the Book of the Month Club since Richard Wright’s “Native Son,” 37 years earlier. Her most recent work was “God Help the Child” (2015) and she also wrote non-fiction, children’s literature, and plays including “Desdemona.” When she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993, Morrison became the first black woman to win a Nobel Prize. She was recognized with many other honors including the National Humanities Medal in 2000, the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction in 2011, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented to her by President Barack Obama in 2012.

Cliff Branch (1948–2019), legendary Raiders receiver

Cliff Branch was a star receiver for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders, catching over 500 passes during a 14-year NFL career from 1972 until 1986. The speedy Branch was one of the best deep threats in the league, catching many long TD passes from quarterbacks Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett. He helped the Raiders win three Super Bowls with an impressive 73 receptions during the playoffs. Branch played college football at Colorado and was an outstanding track sprinter, finishing 5th in the 100 meter finals at the NCAA championships in 1972.

El Paso Walmart Shooting Victims (2019)

Twenty-two people have died after a shooting inside a busy Walmart at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas.

D.A. Pennebaker (1925–2019), Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker

Known for iconic films on Dylan, Bowie, Monterey Pop, and Bill Clinton.

Harley Race (1943–2019), pro wrestling legend

Professional wrestler known for his rivalry with Ric Flair.