Dick Scobee

Posted in Arlington National Cemetery with tags , , on May 30, 2013 by Cade

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May 19, 1939 – January 28, 1986

Commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger on its ill-fated final mission, Francis Richard “Dick” Scobee was an Air Force pilot and astronaut. A combat pilot during the Vietnam war, Scobee became a test pilot and was eventually selected to be a part of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. He piloted Challenger on a successful mission – his only other – two years prior to the disaster. On January 28th, 1986, after a number of weather-related delays and under high pressure to get the shuttle into space to inaugurate the Teacher In Space program, Challenger finally lifted off. Continue reading →

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Isaac Hayes

Posted in Memorial Park Cemetery (TN) with tags , on May 30, 2013 by Cade

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August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an influential musician, producer and song-writer known for his funky blues style.  Though he wrote many songs for others, including the smash hit “Soul Man,” he was probably most known for his solo albums Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses and certainly for his work on the motion picture soundtrack for 1971’s Shaft, for which he won 2 Grammys and an Academy Award.  Hayes enjoyed a somewhat odd career resurrection in the 1990’s when he voiced the character, Chef, on the long-running animated comedy South Park. Continue reading →

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Gordon Jump

Posted in El Toro Memorial Park with tags on May 30, 2013 by Cade

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April 1, 1932 – September 22, 2003

Look.  Let’s just get it out of the way right up front.  Let’s choose to remember Gordon Jump for the lovable characters he created like WKRP in Cincinnati’s Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson or Chief Tinkler on Soap or even the ever-lonely Maytag Repairman from all of those commercials. Or, if we want to dig a little, we can appreciate his early radio career and numerous guest star appearances on dozens of television shows. Or we can even talk about his work in educational films for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Let’s just focus on the good stuff and avoid any conversation whatsoever about THAT episode of Diff’rent Strokes.

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Art Carney

Posted in Riverside Cemetery with tags , on May 30, 2013 by Cade

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November 4, 1918 – November 9, 2003

Art Carney was an immensely talented actor, mimic, comedian and singer. Over his 50+ year career, Carney delighted audience in every medium.  He began his career in radio, moved to television, stage, records and film.   He won an Academy Award in 1974 for his performance in Harry and Tonto.  Of course, his entire amazing career can probably be owed to the time he first met and worked with Jackie Gleason. Carney’s fame shot through the roof due to his portrayal of Ed Norton opposite Gleason on the wildly successful TV show, The Honeymooners. Continue reading →

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George Burns and Gracie Allen

Posted in Forest Lawn Glendale with tags , , on May 28, 2013 by Cade

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January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996
July 26, 1895 – August 27, 1964

One of the great comedy teams of all-time, Burns and Allen were vaudeville, radio, film and television legends.  They met in New Jersey and embarked on a career – and life – together that would entertain audiences for decades. George was the classic straight man to Gracie’s madcap comic.  They eventually made the jump from stage to film and television and moved their popular radio program, The Burns and Allen Show, to television, where it ran for 8 years.  In 1964, after a long battle with heart disease, Gracie said “Goodnight” and died. Leaving George to continue his career without his partner and wife. Continue reading →

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Heather O’Rourke

Posted in Westwood Memorial Park with tags , , on May 28, 2013 by Cade

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December 27, 1975 – February 1, 1988

For all the glitz and glamour that is represented in a large cross-section of the population in tiny Westwood Memorial Park, there is also a fair amount of tragedy present. Many of the permanent residents there died way too young.  There’s no better example of that than Heather O’Rourke.  The adorable, blonde child star was made famous by her portrayal of Carol Anne in the Poltergeist film trilogy. She also went on to guest star on a number of mid-’80’s television shows.  Heather became sick in 1987 and was misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease.In early 1988, at the age of 12, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where she later died while in surgery for a congenital bowel obstruction – the true cause of her illness.

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Audie Murphy

Posted in Arlington National Cemetery with tags , on May 26, 2013 by Cade

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June 20, 1925 – May 28, 1971

Lieutenant Audie Leon Murphy was perhaps the most famous and one of the most decorated infantry soldiers from World War II. During his tours in the Mediterranean and Europe, Murphy received a number of honors including, but certainly not limited to, a Medal of Honor, THREE Purple Hearts, Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, a Legion of Merit…you get the picture. Audie Murphy was not messing around.  He was a true hero.

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Lorne Greene

Posted in Hillside Memorial Park with tags , on May 24, 2013 by Cade

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February 12, 1915 – September 11, 1987

Lorne Greene was born Lyon Himan Green in Ottawa, Ontario.  He began acting in college and found himself on the radio as a newsreader.  His solemn and gruff voice led him to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where he read news broadcasts of Canada’s involvement in World War II.  He quickly transitioned his talent to the stage and, eventually, the television screen.  His biggest role was that of patriarch Ben Cartwright on the long-running series Bonanza. Continue reading →

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Robert F. Kennedy

Posted in Arlington National Cemetery with tags , , on May 23, 2013 by Cade

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November 20, 1925 — June 6, 1968

Robert Francis Kennedy was a U.S. Senator and the U.S. Attorney General under his brother, John’s, presidential administration.  Bobby was a leading figure in 1960’s American political and civil circles. He was instrumental in the Civil Rights movement of the day.  He was a Kennedy through and through, and held all the political aspirations that come with that.  Following the devastation of his older brother’s assassination, he ran for and was elected as Senator from New York. Continue reading →

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Etta James

Posted in Inglewood Park Cemetery with tags , , on May 22, 2013 by Cade

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January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012

Aaaat Laaaaaaaast….

The opening words of Etta James’ (born, Jamesetta Hawkins) classic ballad “At Last” are unmistakable. James was a prolific singer whose career covered and influenced nearly every genre imaginable. She won six Grammys, a host of other awards and was an 1993 inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Whether she was belting Jazz, R&B, Gospel or straight Blues, Etta was without equal. Continue reading →

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