By Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times
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.
By Valerie J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times
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.'
By Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times
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.'
Harold 'Hal' Jackson, first African American voice on network radio, dies at 96; Janet Carroll, actress who played Tom Cruise character's mother in 'Risky Business,' dies at 71
By Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times
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.
By Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times
'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.
Los Angeles Times wire reports
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.
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times
Raul Rojas was a gang member in Los Angeles before turning to boxing and becoming a world featherweight champion.
By Rebecca Trounson, Los Angeles Times
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.
By Mike Anton, Los Angeles Times
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.
By Brian Slodysko, Chicago Tribune
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.
By Claire Noland, Los Angeles Times
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.
By Jeffrey Fleishman and Glen Johnson, Los Angeles Times
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.
By Dennis McLellan, Los Angeles Times
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.
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone who championed German lieder, dies at 86; Bob Boozer, NBA great, dies at 75; Jim Abdnor, South Dakota Republican who defeated Democrat George McGovern to win a Senate seat, dies at 89; Chuck Brown, funk band leader, dies at 75; Herbert Breslin, Pavarotti manager, dies at 87
By Carla Rivera, Los Angeles Times
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.'
By Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times
'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.
By Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times
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.
By Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times
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.
By August Brown and Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times
An icon of dance music, Donna Summer left an enduring legacy that helped open the way to techno and house music.