2008 Obituaries: Legends Who Did Not Live ToSee Black President

Bernie Mac, an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian, died suddenly August 9, 2008 at age 50 of complications from pneumonia. The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body’s organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005

[National: Obituaries]

Isaac Hayes, Age, 65: Isaac Hayes, the baldheaded, baritone-voiced soul crooner who laid the groundwork for disco and whose “Theme From Shaft” won both Academy and Grammy awards, died 8/10/08 in the afternoon after he collapsed near a treadmill, authorities said. He was 65.

Gene Upshaw, Age, 63: Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, died on 8/20/08 at his home near California’s Lake Tahoe, of pancreatic cancer.

Dwight White, Age, 58: Dwight White, the Steel Curtain defensive end known as “Mad Dog” who helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s, died 6/6/08, following complications from back surgery. He was 58.

Al Wilson, Age, 68: Al Wilson, the soul singer and songwriter who had a number of 1970s hits including “Show and Tell,” died 4/21/08. Wilson died of kidney failure at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana, according to his son, Tony Wilson of Yucaipa.

Ivan Dixon, Age, 76: Ivan Dixon, an actor and director who was best known for playing Sgt. James Kinchloe on the 1960s sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes” but whose films included vivid portrayals of Black struggles in the American South and insurrectionist inclinations in the North, died 3/16/08 from complications of kidney disease.

Johnnie Carr, Age, 97: Johnnie Carr, who joined childhood friend Rosa Parks in the historic Montgomery bus boycott and kept a busy schedule of civil rights activism up to her final days, died 2/22/08. She was 97. She had been hospitalized after a stroke Feb. 11.

Buddy Miles, Age, 60: Buddy Miles, a drummer who played with Jimi Hendrix and sang in the claymation commercials featuring the California Raisins in the 1980s, died 2/26/08. He was 60. Miles, who had been suffering from congestive heart failure, died in Austin, publicist Duane Lee said.

Sean Levert, Age, 39: Sean Levert, a third of the 1980s R&B trio LeVert and son of lead O’Jays singer Eddie Levert, died 3/30/08 after falling ill while serving a jail term. He was 39. Authorities said Monday that an autopsy was inconclusive but foul play was ruled out.

Bernie Mac, Age, 50: Bernie Mac, an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian, died suddenly 8/09/08 at age 50 of complications from pneumonia. The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body’s organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005.

Bo Diddley, Age, 79: Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll whose distinctive “shave and a haircut, two bits” rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of musicians, died 6/2/08, after months of ill health. He was 79.

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