Ella Jenkins (1924–2024), first lady of children’s music

Ella Jenkins was a singer and songwriter who focused on creating music for children during her entire decades-long career.

Rev. Bill Lawson (1928–2024), civil rights leader who worked with MLK

Rev. William “Bill” Lawson was a Houston civil rights leader who helped peacefully integrate his city and worked alongside

Ken Holtzman (1945–2024), pitcher for Cubs, A’s 

Ken Holtzman was a pitcher who threw two no-hitters with the Chicago Cubs and won three World Series with the Oakland A’s.

Guy Stern (1922–2023), Holocaust refugee and WWII intel operative

Guy Stern was a German refugee who fled the Nazis in the 1930s and became a military intelligence operative for the U.S. during World War II as part of the elite group known as the Ritchie Boys.

Robert “Beatle Bob” Matonis (1953–2023), St. Louis music superfan 

Robert “Beatle Bob” Matonis was a St. Louis man known widely for his enthusiastic dancing at concerts he attended every day for decades.

Mike Shannon (1939–2023), longtime St. Louis Cardinals’ broadcaster 

Mike Shannon was a former third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals who went on to become the team’s broadcaster for nearly 50 years.

Larry Wilson (1938–2020), legendary Cardinals safety

Larry Wilson was a legendary safety for the St. Louis Cardinals who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lou Brock (1939–2020), St. Louis Cardinals legend

Lou Brock was a legendary outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals known for his base stealing that led the Cardinals to two World Series victories.  

Huey (Lawrence Franks Jr.) (1989–2020), rapper known for “Pop, Lock & Drop It”

Huey was a rapper from St. Louis known for his 2006 top ten hit “Pop, Lock & Drop It”

Bill Bidwill (1931–2019), Arizona Cardinals owner

Bill Bidwill was the longtime owner of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. His father Charles was the owner of the Chicago Cardinals and Bill and his brother Charles Jr. took over the franchise in 1962, shortly after the team moved to St. Louis. He became the sole owner in 1972 and moved the team to their current location of Phoenix in 1988. The Cardinals reached the Super Bowl during the 2008 season, losing to the Steelers. Bidwill was a pioneer of diversity hiring in the NFL, hiring the first black female executive in league history, the first black contract negotiator, and the NFL’s first black head coach-general manager combination, Dennis Green and Rod Graves.

Chris Duncan (1981–2019), former Cardinals player battled cancer

Chris Duncan, former Cardinals slugger who was a member of the 2006 World Series championship team, has died following a battle with brain cancer.

Kelan Phil Cohran (1927–2017), jazz trumpeter

Influential jazz musician played with Sun Ra and co-founded the Artistic Heritage Ensemble.

Kevin O’Morrison (1916 - 2016), Sleepless in Seattle actor

Kevin O’Morrison, an actor who appeared in such films as “Sleepless in Seattle” and “The Set-Up,” has died at the age of 100, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Blake Snyder (2016), St. Louis County police officer

Blake Snyder, a St. Louis County police officer, was shot and killed Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He was 33.

Bryan Robinson (2016), former Chicago Bears defensive lineman

Bryan Robinson, a former Chicago Bears defensive lineman, died June 11, 2016, according to the Chicago Tribune. He was 41.

Doris Roberts (1925 - 2016), Everybody Loves Raymond star

Doris Roberts, the Emmy Award-winning actress known best for her performance as Marie Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died at the age of 90.

The Communicator, Dave Garroway

Hosting morning television was a different ball game when Dave Garroway introduced it in January 1952.

An American Hero

John Moton Jr. valiantly served his country in World War II, but it was 65 years before he received his medals.

Enos Slaughter, Controversial Cardinal

Right fielder Enos Slaughter, born on this day 95 years ago, is one of the more controversial players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. We take a look at his storied career and the questions surrounding it.