Paul Fussell dies at 88; social historian and critic

The decorated World War II veteran wrote a classic 1975 critique of art and literature after World War I that showed how that conflict forever changed Western society and culture.

Jean Craighead George dies at 92; children's author

Jean Craighead George was a leading writer of novels about nature for young readers. One of her best-known works was the Newbery Medal-winning 'Julie of the Wolves.'

Lee Rich dies at 93; advertising executive became a top TV producer

He was responsible for bringing such shows as 'Dallas,' 'Knots Landing' and 'The Waltons' into America's living rooms, as well as the Emmy-winning TV movie 'Sybil.'

Al Gordon dies at 89; Emmy-winning comedy writer for Jack Benny

He and writing partner Hal Goldman worked for the legendary comedian for 24 years. They also wrote for stars such as Carol Burnett, Flip Wilson and the Smothers Brothers.

'Big Willie' Robinson dies at 69; L.A. drag race organizer

'Big Willie' Robinson helped ease racial tensions in L.A. as founding president of a racing organization that ran a drag strip on Terminal Island for many years.

Wesley Brown dies at 85; first black graduate of Naval Academy

Retired naval lieutenant commander, who studied engineering, graduated from the academy in 1949. He was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Raul Rojas dies at 70; L.A. gang member turned boxing champion

Raul Rojas was a gang member in Los Angeles before turning to boxing and becoming a world featherweight champion.

H.H. Brookins dies at 86; pastor was influential black leader

The mentor to Mayor Tom Bradley, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others was the bishop and pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles.

Terry Martin dies at 74; legendary surfboard shaper

Terry Martin was among a dwindling number of craftsmen who made surfboards by hand. He shaped about 80,000 boards in a six-decade career.

Eugene Polley dies at 96; inventor of wireless TV remote control

Polley's Flash-Matic was considered a luxury when it debuted in 1955, but its popularity has been tied to the explosion in cable TV. Polley felt he did not receive proper credit for his invention.

Robin Gibb dies at 62; rose to pop fame as one-third of the Bee Gees

Robin Gibb and his brothers, Maurice and Barry, produced a string of memorable hits and were at the forefront of the disco era with their iconic 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack. Robin Gibb was diagnosed with cancer that spread from his colon to his liver last year.

Lockerbie bomber dies in Libya

Abdel Basset Ali Megrahi, reported to have had prostate cancer, was the only person convicted in the downing of Pan Am Flight 103. He repeatedly denied a role.

Evelyn Bryan Johnson dies at 102; pioneering female pilot

Evelyn Bryan Johnson took up flying in 1944, went on to hold a Guinness record for most hours in the air by a female pilot, and trained thousands of students.

Tom Fuentes dies at 63; longtime O.C. Republican Party leader

Tom Fuentes was chairman of the Orange County Republican Party from 1985 to 2004. He helped maintain its powerhouse status and is remembered as 'the godfather of every idealistic person in the party, young and old.'

Mike McGrady dies at 78; journalist behind sexy bestselling hoax

'Naked Came the Stranger' was concocted by Newsday columnist Mike McGrady with two dozen colleagues to prove that a poorly written potboiler could succeed with enough sex. It became a sensation in 1969 when the hoax was exposed.

Frank Edward Ray dies at 91; hero in Chowchilla school bus hijacking

In 1976, the school bus driver helped lead 26 children to safety after they'd been abducted and buried by three young men planning to seek ransom.

Doug Dillard dies at 75; banjo player, member of the Dillards band

Doug Dillard played with his brothers in the bluegrass group, performed as a solo artist and collaborated with numerous other country, bluegrass, rock and pop musicians.

Donna Summer dies at 63; diva of disco

An icon of dance music, Donna Summer left an enduring legacy that helped open the way to techno and house music.