Leo D. Sullivan (1940–2023), Soul Train, Fat Albert animator 

Leo D. Sullivan was a pioneering Black animator whose credits included the intro to “Soul Train.”

Kathryn Hays (1934–2022), actress known for “As the World Turns,” “Star Trek”

Kathryn Hays was an actress who starred as Kim Sullivan Hughes on “As the World Turns” for more than 30 years.

Taylor Hawkins (1972–2022), Foo Fighters drummer  

Taylor Hawkins was the longtime drummer for the popular alternative rock band Foo Fighters.   

Beverly Cleary (1916–2021), award-winning “Ramona” series author

Beverly Cleary penned award-winning books for children and young adults including the popular "Ramona" series, notably the National Book Award-winning “Ramona and Her Mother” as well as “Ramona the Brave,” “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” and “Ramona Forever.”

Larry McMurtry (1936–2021), Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Lonesome Dove”

Larry McMurtry was an author and screenwriter known for novels including “Lonesome Dove” and “The Last Picture Show” as well as his Oscar-winning adapted screenplay for “Brokeback Mountain.”

Mark Blum (1950–2020), “Desperately Seeking Susan” star

Mark Blum wasa longtime actor who starred in the movie Desperately Seeking Susan.

Mike Stratton (1941–2020), legendary Buffalo Bills linebacker

Mike Stratton  was the legendary Buffalo Bills linebacker who made “the hit heard 'round the world," leading the Bills to the 1964 AFL Title. Down 7-0 in the AFL Championship game against the San Diego Chargers, Stratton made a hard clean tackle on the Chargers star running back Keith Lincoln, breaking three of his ribs and knocking him out of the game. The inspired Bills went on to win their first title by a score of 20-7. A six-time AFL all-star, he helped the Bills win the AFL title again in 1965. Lincoln joined the Bills in 1967 and the two became good friends.   

Floyd Cardoz (2020), “Top Chef Masters” winner

FloydCardoz was a star on televisions Top Chef Masters andthechef atthe trendy Manhattan restaurantTabla.He won season 3 of the Top Chef Masters realitycooking challenge show. Cardoza was born in Mumbai and was known for his elevated Indian dishes that wowedNew York Citydiners atTablaand BombayBread Bar.

D.C. Fontana (1939–2019), pioneering “Star Trek” writer

She wrote the classic “Star Trek” episode “Journey to Babel.”

Bill Isles (1941–2019), co-founder of legendary R&B group The O’Jays

Bill Isles was one of the original members of soul music hit-makers The O’Jays. He formed a singing group called the Mascots with friends in his hometown of Canton, Ohio, in 1958. They changed their name to the Triumphs and released their first single in 1961. In 1963, they changed their name to The O’Jays and released a successful single in 1965 titled “Lipstick Traces.” Shortly after, Isles left the group and would get married. The O’Jays went on to greater fame in the 1970s with the hit songs “Back Stabbers” and “Love Train.”

Seo Minwoo (1985–2018), Lead singer of K-pop band 100%

“Song For You” was a top 10 hit in Japan.

Linda Brown (1943–2018), student in landmark Brown v. Board of Education case

The 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down racial segregation in schools…