R.I.P. CELEBRITY DEATHS 2021(NON WRESTLERS)

[jimsteel]

‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ author Eric Carle dies at 91

Eric Carle, the beloved children’s author and illustrator whose classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and other works gave millions of kids some of their earliest and most cherished literary memories, has died at age 91.

Carle’s family says he died Sunday at his summer studio in Northampton, Massachusetts, with family members at his side. The family’s announcement was issued by Penguin Young Leaders.

Through books like “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” “Do You Want to Be My Friend?” and “From Head to Toe,” Carle introduced universal themes in simple words and bright colors.

“The unknown often brings fear with it,” he once observed. “In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.”

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” published in 1969, was welcomed by parents and delighted kids with its story of the metamorphosis of a green and red caterpillar with a touch of blue and brown to a proudly multi-colored butterfly.

[jimsteel]

Olympian Lee Evans, who raised his fist on medal stand in 1968, dies at 74

After Tommie Smith and John Carlos were expelled from the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City for raising their fists during the national anthem in solidarity with the Black Power movement, they encouraged teammate Lee Evans to stay behind and compete. Evans went on to win gold, and on the medal stand, he raised his fist, too. Evans died on Wednesday at age 74.

[jimsteel]

Kevin Clark, drummer in 'School of Rock,' hit and killed by driver in Chicago at 32

Kevin Clark stuck with his music after appearing nearly 20 years ago as drummer Freddy "Spazzy McGee" Jones in the wildly popular movie "School of Rock."

He formed bands, wrote songs, taught children. At 32, Clark had just started a new band that performed live for the first time over the past weekend on the North Shore.

"He told his bandmates just yesterday: You know, this is finally the life I want to live. And we’re going to make it. You’re my musical family — my family — and we’re all going to make it," his mother Allison Clark said.

Clark was riding a bicycle early Wednesday when he was struck and killed at a notoriously dangerous intersection on the Northwest Side. He was hit by a Hyundai Sonata around 1:20 a.m. in the 2600 block of North Western Avenue, Chicago police said.

At 12, Clark landed a role in the 2003 hit "School of Rock" with actor Jack Black. Clark played an outspoken kid who was the band’s drummer. Although he had no acting experience, his prowess at drumming helped him land the gig.

[jimsteel]

Gavin MacLeod, ‘Love Boat’ Captain, Dies at 90

[TTX]

RIP Gavin.

[TTX]

www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mark-eaton-former-jazz-star-and-defensive-player-of-the-year-dies-at-64-after-apparent-bicycle-crash/

[throwingtoasters]

www.npr.org/2021/05/29/1001614273/hooked-on-a-feeling-singer-b-j-thomas-dies-at-78

[jimsteel]

B.J. Thomas, Grammy-Winning Singer, Dies at 78
Thomas sold over 70 million albums worldwide, with eight number one hits and numerous top ten singles on the country, pop and christian charts.

[jimsteel]

Paul Robert Soles
(11 August 1930 – 26 May 2021)
Was a Canadian actor and television personality. He led the voice cast in such series as The Marvel Super Heroes (1966), voiced the title character in Spider-Man (1967), and portrayed Hermey in the 1964 television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Soles was one of the last surviving participants of the special's voice cast.

[TTX]

ahh Paul....RIP. Hermey might be an oddball but he was a fun character.