Notable deaths, July 2009

Obituaries

Here are a selection of notable deaths from Georgia, the nation and the world for July 2009.

Walter Cronkite: Nov. 4, 1916 - July 17: Known as the 'most trusted man in America', Cronkite was the TV anchorman of CBS Evening News for 19 years, an era when network news was central to many American's lives. World War II. Vietnam War. John F. Kennedy's assassination. Watergate. Iran Hostage Crisis. Missions to space. The Beatles first U.S. broadcast. He reported them all. Cronkite died from complications of dementia, 'And that's the way it is'.

Vernon Forrest: Feb. 12, 1971 -- July 25 --- Born in Augusta, Forrest was a professional boxer who became a world champion in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions. He's noted for his two unanimous victories over Shane Mosley, widely considered the world's best fighter at the time. Forrest's began boxing at the age of 9 and his professional record was 41-3 with 29 KOs. Forrest was gunned down at a gas station in Southwest Atlanta.

E. Lynn Harris: June 20, 1955 -- July 23 --- Harris authored 10 consecutive books to make the New York Times Best Seller List. He was best known for his depictions of affluent, powerful black men who struggled with their attraction to both men and women. He sold his first book in 1991 out of his car, on black college campuses and in barbershops until it was discovered and published in 1994 Openly gay, Everette Lynn Harris died from heart disease.

While with the Falcons, Bryan was advised to retire in 1989 after he was diagnosed with a spinal nerve injury. However, he continued to play and started 19 of 34 games over the next three seasons. Above, Bryan in 1989.

Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara: Jan. 5, 1940 -- July 11 --- In 2007, Bousada was the world's oldest mother at 66. The retiree sold her home in Spain to raise the $36,000 needed for the anonymous sperm and egg donation procedure. Twin boys were eventually delivered prematurely by caesarean section. Later she admitted lying to doctors, claiming that she was 55 to get around age limits at the Los Angeles fertility center. She died from cancer when her sons were two-and-a-half years old.

Gidget: c. 1994 - July 21 --- Gidget was the spunky Chihuahua who starred in a series of Taco Bell commercials and made famous the phrase ' Yo quiero Taco Bell!' The dog grew so popular that toy figures were produced, and 'Yo quiero (insert words)' became recognized words in pop culture. Gidget also promoted insurance alongside the GEICO gecko in a 2002 commercial and playing the mother of Reese Witherspoon's Chihuahua, Bruiser, in the sequel to 'Legally Blonde'. Gidget died from a stroke.

Joel Weisman: Feb. 20, 1943 -- July 18 --- Weisman was one of the first doctors to identify a pattern of illnesses that was ultimately diagnosed as AIDS. The report he co-authored to the CDC's Weekly Report signaled the official start of the epidemic. In 1975, he acknowledged his homosexuality and ended a three-year marriage. He eventually became a national advocate for its research and the founding chairman of AIDS Project Los Angeles. He died from heart disease.

Steve McNair: Feb. 14, 1973 -- July 4 --- McNair was an NFL quarterback who spent a majority of his career with the Tennessee Titans. He played college football at Alcorn State in Mississippi, where he was named the top Div I-AA player in 1944. A three-time Pro-Bowler, he's the Titans all-time leading passer. He also started the Steve McNair Foundation which helps underprivileged children. McNair was the victim of from gunshot wounds inflicted his mistress, who then turned the gun on herself.

Barbara Margolis: Oct. 4, 1929 - July 3 --- Margolis served as the official greeter of New York City. For an annual salary of $1, she welcomed visiting dignitaries such as Pope John Paul II and Princess Diana. However, she was widely known as a prisoner's advocate. She founded Fresh Start, a training program that helps Riker's Island inmates receive culinary training from professional chefs and then find restaurant jobs upon release. Margolis died from cancer.

Robert McNamara: June 9, 1916 -- July 6 --- McNamara, at top in photo, was the Secretary of Defense during the John F. Kennedy administration. He is widely considered to be the leading architect of the Vietnam War. He lived much of his life being blamed for the war, and he reportedly often wrestled with its moral consequences. In his biography, 'Promise and Power', the author wrote "For better and worse McNamara shaped much in today's world -- and imprisoned himself'" McNamara died in his sleep.

Maria Hertogh: March 24, 1937 - July 8 --- Hertogh, above center, made worldwide headlines in 1950 when she became the central figure in a legal conflict between her biological Dutch parents and a Muslim woman who adopted her during World War II. The highly publicized custody battle sparked religious tensions between Muslims and Christians that later ignited a series of deadly ethnic riots in Singapore after the judge handed the girl back to her Dutch Catholic parents. Hertogh died of leukemia.

Karl Malden: March 22, 1912 -- July 1 --- Malden's six-decade Hollywood career spanned TV and more than 50 films. He played General Omar Bradley in 'Patton' and received an Academy Award for 'A Streetcar Named Desire', a role he originated on Broadway. He also earned four consecutive Emmy nominations for 'The Streets of San Francisco'. And for more than 20 years, Malden was a spokesman for American Express travelers checks: 'Don't leave home without them'.

Frank McCourt: Aug. 19 1930 -- July 19 --- An accomplish author and writing teacher, McCourt used his miserable childhood in Limerick, Ireland as a basis for the book 'Angela's Ashes'. For example, he described an entire block of houses sharing a single outhouse, flooded by constant rain, and infested with rats and vermin. It stayed on the best-seller lists for more than two years and won the Pulitzer Prize for biography and the National Book Critics Circle Award. McCourt died from cancer.

Sue Burns: Aug. 19, 1950 -- July 1 --- Burns was a passionate baseball fan and principal owner of the San Francisco Giants. She was also a close friend of Barry Bonds through his best and worst of times, and an enthusiastic supporter of the team, regardless of where it placed. Known for her kindness and generosity, she was on a first-name basis with the players, ballpark ushers, ticket takers, grounds people and security guards. Burns died from lung cancer, a week after being diagnosed.

Merce Cunningham: April 16, 1919 -- July 26 --- Throughout much of his life, Cunningham was considered one of the greatest creative forces in American dance. He was at the forefront of the American dance culture for more than 50 years. Experts have said the three greatest dancers ever seen were Fred Astaire, Margot Fonteyn and Cunningham. In 1999, at 80, though frail and holding onto a barre, he danced a duet with Mikhail Baryshnikov. He passed away peacefully in his sleep.

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Walter Cronkite: Nov. 4, 1916 - July 17: Known as the 'most trusted man in America', Cronkite was the TV anchorman of CBS Evening News for 19 years, an era when network news was central to many American's lives. World War II. Vietnam War. John F. Kennedy's assassination. Watergate. Iran Hostage Crisis. Missions to space. The Beatles first U.S. broadcast. He reported them all. Cronkite died from complications of dementia, 'And that's the way it is'.

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