in memoriam

Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers pitcher who inspired 'Fernandomania,' dies at 63

By Beth Harris, Associated Press

Valenzuela was one of the most dominant players of his era and a wildly popular figure in the 1980s, although he was never elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Fethullah Gülen, Turkish spiritual leader who self-exiled in the U.S., has died

By Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press

Gülen was a reclusive U.S.-based Islamic cleric who inspired a global social movement while facing unproven accusations he masterminded a failed 2016 coup in his native Turkey.

Lilly Ledbetter, fighter for equal pay, dies at 86

By Alexandra Olson, Associated Press

Ledbetter was a former Alabama factory manager whose lawsuit against her employer made her an icon of the equal pay movement and led to landmark wage discrimination legislation named in her honor.

Kennedy family gathers to pay tribute to matriarch Ethel Kennedy

By Associated Press

Monday's funeral, which was closed to the public, took place at Our Lady of Victory, in Centerville, Massachusetts, under a cool gray sky.

Ethel Kennedy, social activist and Kennedy matriarch, dies at 96

By Michael Casey, Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press

The wife of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy who raised their 11 children after he was assassinated and remained dedicated to social causes and the family’s legacy for decades thereafter, died on Thursday, her family said.

John Amos, iconic screen actor from 'Good Times' to 'Roots' to 'The West Wing,' dies at 84

By Beth Harris, Associated Press

“Many fans consider him their TV father,” his son Kelly Christopher Amos said in a statement.

Pete Rose, baseball phenom who was banned for gambling, dies at 83

By Hillel Italie, Associated Press

Rose was baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied.

Tony winner Gavin Creel dies of rare cancer at 48

By Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

Creel, a Broadway musical theater veteran who won a Tony Award for “Hello, Dolly!” opposite Bette Midler and earned nominations for “Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” died Monday.

How Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton and Martin Scorsese are paying tribute to Kris Kristofferson

By Associated Press

The singer-songwriter and actor died Saturday at his home in Hawaii surrounded by family at age 88.

Tito Jackson, member of Jackson 5 and Rock Hall of Famer, dies at 70

By Brian P. D. Hannon, Associated Press

Jackson was the third of nine children, including global superstars Michael and Janet, and was part of a music-making family whose songs have sold hundreds of millions of copies.