Re: The high profile person recently died thread

[crucifyd]

'Let's Make a Deal' game show host and philanthropist Monty Hall dies at 96
http://komonews.com/news/entertainment/host-of-lets-make-a-deal-monty-hall-dies-at-96

[MikeInFla]

Wow, didn't expect this one. Tom Petty, 66 from cardiac arrest. Sad sad....

[Athanasius]

Wow, didn't expect this one. Tom Petty, 66 from cardiac arrest. Sad sad....

 
Whoa.  That is horrible news.  I am a huge Tom Petty Fan - of both his work with the Heartbreakers and his solo work.  He was a very talented man, and one of the most consistent artists in terms of quality.  Wildflowers and Echo were two albums that were a big part of the soundtrack of my life for a few years.  Damn the Torpedoes was one of the greatest rock albums of the 1970's.

I'm stunned.  For me, this is the worst celebrity death news in a long time. 

[oldschooldoom]

I'm reading reports that Petty isn't dead.

[crucifyd]

I'm reading reports that Petty isn't dead.

correct, he died about 45 minutes after your post:
https://twitter.com/tompetty/status/915072929120972801

[Athanasius]

Yeah, the initial reports were mistaken, but sadly he later passed.  Listening to Damn the Torpedoes now.  Hard to believe he's really gone. 

[oldschooldoom]

R.I.P. Robert Guillaume

The actor, best known for his turns on Soap, Benson, and Sports Night (pictured), died on Oct. 24 at age 89
https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/gallery/robert-guillaume-life-in-photos/ss-AAu0nFE?li=BBnb7Kz

[crucifyd]

Fats Domino, Rock and Roll Pioneer, Dead at 89
Genial singer behind "Blueberry Hill" and "Ain't That a Shame" helped popularize early rock and roll

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/fats-domino-rock-and-roll-pioneer-dead-at-89-w473594

[messiaen77]

R.I.P. Robert Guillaume

The actor, best known for his turns on Soap, Benson, and Sports Night (pictured), died on Oct. 24 at age 89
https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/gallery/robert-guillaume-life-in-photos/ss-AAu0nFE?li=BBnb7Kz

I had to file this one under "oh, I didn't know he was still alive."  It seems to me he was in grave health a few years ago, and maybe I just assumed he had died then.

[oldschooldoom]

John Hillerman, Higgins on 'Magnum, P.I.,' Dies at 84

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/magnum-p-actor-john-hillerman-dies-84-223423890.html

[MikeInFla]

So I guess he won't be in the Magnum reboot they are talking about. Not that I would watch it but it would have been cool to have Higgins on it (if they even do it).

[crucifyd]

Malcolm Young, AC/DC Guitarist and Co-Founder, Dead at 64
Guitarist who co-founded Australian rock legends in 1973 with brother Angus Young dies following battle with dementia

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/malcolm-young-acdc-guitarist-and-co-founder-dead-at-64-w512164

[oldschooldoom]

Mel Tillis, legendary country singer and songwriter, dies at 85

http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/11/19/mel-tillis-dead-country-music-hall-famer/852933001/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aweaoakyK8

[oldschooldoom]

Rough weekend continues
David Cassidy dead age 67

https://thewirerepublicblog.wordpress.com/2017/11/18/breaking-david-cassidy-dead-at-age-67/

[New Creation]

Rough weekend continues
David Cassidy dead age 67

https://thewirerepublicblog.wordpress.com/2017/11/18/breaking-david-cassidy-dead-at-age-67/

Looks like this one might be fake news. Other sites are reporting him as alive and in critical condition, no longer in a coma, and in need of a liver transplant.

[New Creation]

It looks like there are some mixed reports going around that Charles Manson is dead, but nothing verifiable yet.

[crucifyd]

looks official now... (amazingly) TMZ is usually first one to break this stuff, and accurately

http://www.tmz.com/2017/11/19/charles-manson-dead-at-83/

Charles Manson Dead at 83

[Professor_Valconian]

looks official now... (amazingly) TMZ is usually first one to break this stuff, and accurately

http://www.tmz.com/2017/11/19/charles-manson-dead-at-83/

Charles Manson Dead at 83

http://babylonbee.com/news/belief-in-hell-suddenly-spikes-as-charles-manson-dies/

[oldschooldoom]

Della Reese
From Roma Downey's FB, "On behalf of her husband, Franklin Lett, and all her friends and family, I share with you the news that our beloved Della Reese has passed away peacefully at her California home surrounded by love. She was an incredible Wife, Mother, Grandmother, friend, and Pastor, as well as an award-winning actress and singer. Through her life and work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people. She was a mother to me and I had the privilege of working with her side by side for so many years on Touched By An Angel. I know heaven has a brand new angel this day. Della Reese will be forever in our hearts. Rest In Peace, sweet angel. We love you." https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/obituaries/della-reese-singer-and-touched-by-an-angel-star-dies-at-86.html

[MikeInFla]

Not really high profile, unless you are in the south. But Robert D Raiford of the John Boy and Billy Show has passed away.



Robert D Raiford was an American radio broadcaster and actor, best known for his political/social commentaries delivered during The John Boy and Billy Big Show, a morning radio program heard on stations throughout the American South. He was from Concord, North Carolina and majored in communication at the University of South Carolina. Raiford got his start in broadcasting in 1944 by calling play by play at baseball games. His first real radio job was at WEGO in Concord, North Carolina. Raiford has appeared in 28 movies, often portraying judge characters. He frequently closed his commentaries with the line "Who says that? I say that!", which also served as the title of a book containing excerpts from these segments.
Early in his career, Raiford worked for WTOP radio and WTOP-TV, both CBS News affiliates. His best-known work was a live radio broadcast on WTOP, a CBS Radio affiliate, covering the state funeral of President John F. Kennedy.^[1] He also worked at Charlotte radio station WBT. Raiford also hosted a show on WIST, which aired Charlotte's first telephone talk radio format.

[MikeInFla]

RIP Gomer

http://www.tmz.com/2017/11/30/jim-nabors-dead-dies/

[Athanasius]

RIP Gomer

http://www.tmz.com/2017/11/30/jim-nabors-dead-dies/

 
When I first saw his name trending on Twitter, I thought it looked familiar, but I couldn't recall who he was.  When I clicked on the name, my first thought was "oh, Gomer Pyle."  My second thought was being thankful that he wasn't trending because of sexual harassment or assault allegations.  Yeah, I know my initial reaction should have been being saddened by his passing, and I am, but these days when I see someone's name there I wonder if that's the reason.

[MikeInFla]

Pat DiNizio, lead singer of The Smithereens dead at 62. I saw some videos from them from 2016 and he had put on a ton of weight. Loved em when I was in college.


The Smithereens confirmed DiNizio's death in a statement. No cause of death was provided, but the singer had experienced numerous health issues and injuries in recent years.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pat DiNizio, lead singer and songwriter of the influential New Jersey rock band, The Smithereens - America's Band," the band wrote on Facebook. "Pat was looking forward to getting back on the road and seeing his many fans and friends. Please keep Pat in your thoughts and prayers."

[Athanasius]

RIP R.C. Sproul.

“Far from falling asleep, we are awakened to glory in all of its significance. For the believer, death does not have the last word. Death has surrendered to the conquering power of the One who was resurrected as the firstborn of many brethren.”

http://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2017/december/died-r-c-sproul-reformed-theologian-ligonier-ministries-pca.html

I really liked Al Molher's tribute:

https://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/al-mohler/a-bright-and-burning-light-robert-charles-sproul-february-13-1939-december-14-2017.html

[WildWorld]

RIP to former WWF/WCW wrestler Tom Zenk:

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