“Goodbye and Remembrance: Honoring Our Departed Souls of 2024”

This time of year makes it difficult not to reflect on those we have lost – family and friends, primarily. Then, there are individuals who in their own unique ways become like family to all of us … individuals from various backgrounds, across diverse occupations. Alongside Lee Cowan, we extend a sincere “Hail and Farewell.”

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You likely didn’t consider it while enjoying the holidays over the past week – but 56 Christmas Eves ago, we caught a glimpse of our island home like we had never experienced before.

The individual who captured that image – Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders – departed from us this year, and until the end, he never lost the humbling sensation of our place within the void of space.

“When I gaze at, uh, that moon, even today, and see, when it’s merely a small sliver, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up a little,” he shared with us in 2018. 

It’s simple to overlook that we’re all navigating through existence on the same planet – although oceans and barriers may segregate us, Quincy Jones reminded us that we cannot afford to have our hearts fractured.

From Frank Sinatra, the Monarch of the Crooners, to Michael Jackson, the Monarch of Pop, Jones enhanced them all. 

When inquired about his “extraordinary life” back in 2016, Jones chuckled, “Man, it’s incredible. I look back and can’t believe it transpired, you know? … And it keeps happening!”

Quincy Jones envisioned grand aspirations – after all, isn’t it said that dreams should be as vast as an Iowa cornfield? As James Earl Jones‘ character remarked in “Field of Dreams,” “They will arrive at your door, as innocent as children, yearning for the past. Folks will come.”

Jones overcame a stutter in his youth to develop one of the warmest, most distinct voices ever heard. He infused life into his characters, even when confronting the topic of death. “We are all interconnected within the great circle of life,” he expressed as Mufasa in “The Lion King.” 

A sentiment echoed by another talent we lost this year, actor John Amos, who portrayed a devoted father in “Good Times.” 

Bernice Johnson Reagon channeled her pride through song. She was a founding member of Sweet Honey In the Rock, a voice advocating for justice and truth in society.

Thelma Mothershed-Wair took a stand for justice as a teenager. Alongside eight other students, she aided in desegregating Little Rock High School in 1957 – demonstrating bravery as they marched through those doors, akin to those who marched into battle.

Individuals like Robert Dixon, one of the last of the Army’s Buffalo Soldiers, who passed away at the age of 103; Jerome Gary Cooper, who was the initial Black American to command a Marine Corps infantry unit; and William Goines, who became the first Black Navy SEAL.

We honor John Kinsel Sr., one of the legendary Navajo Code Talkers; Bud Anderson, one of the few Triple Ace Pilots; and Lou Conter, Richard “Dick” Higgins and Bob Fernandez – just a few of those we lost who were present at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day etched in history.

We celebrate our military legends in films as well, of course. In one of his many performances, Louis Gossett Jr. embodied the essence of a drill sergeant, starring in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”

As a nurse in World War II, Mitzi Gaynor provided us with a glimpse of the troops stationed in the “South Pacific.”

Donald Sutherland introduced us to the world of a Korean War M*A*S*H unit. He was capable of doing it all. 

Dame Maggie Smith‘s characters enchanted audiences – truly captivating spells. She achieved fame in her 70s from the series “Downton Abbey,” which took both sides of the Atlantic by storm.

“They often claim there aren’t sufficient roles for women of a certain age,” she remarked to “Sunday Morning” in 2002. “But in reality, I’ve been extraordinarily fortunate.”

Smith resembled many actors we lost this year who, regardless of the circumstances, embraced their roles wholeheartedly: Bernard Hill (“Titanic,” “The Lord of the Rings”) … Cheng Pei-pei (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) … Gena Rowlands (“A Woman Under the Influence,” “Gloria”) … Olivia Hussey (“Romeo and Juliet”) … Bill Cobbs (“Night at the Museum”) … James B. Sikking (“Hill Street Blues”) … Carl Weathers (“Rocky”) … Shannen Doherty (“Beverly Hills 90210”) …

Roger Corman was known for many creature features – he was renowned for maximizing limited resources, the undisputed “King of the B Movie.”

It was a risky endeavor to swim at night off the coast of Amity Island in “Jaws.” Susan Backlinie learned that lesson the hard way; she was the stunt performer.who was that renowned shark’s late-night meal.

Jeannie Epper served as Wonder Woman’s stunt double and performed stunts in numerous other shows, as well. When asked about her stunt career in 2014, she remarked, “I adore it; it’s where I feel the most alive.” 

This year also brought the loss of notable game show hosts, including Peter Marshall from “Hollywood Squares” and Chuck Woolery, who hosted “Love Connection.” For those searching for romance on the ocean, crooner Jack Jones provided the theme music; he performed the iconic tune for “Love Boat.” The talented Steve Lawrence, alongside his late spouse, Eydie Gorme, performed countless love songs.

However, it was biological anthropologist Helen Fisher who asserted that it is the brain, not the heart, that experiences love. According to her, love is a field of science. 

Author Barbara Taylor Bradford stimulated our minds with passionate tales of love and treachery in numerous bestselling titles. When interviewed by “Sunday Morning” in 2009 about her preference for writing about “fabulous” characters, Bradford said, “Readers generally don’t want to read about unattractive people.”

I despise your unattractive face
I notice it every place
It trails behind me wherever I attempt to go
Your skin is like tanned leather
And resembles a cow’s
Oh, I loathe you dear, and I think you should know 

This humorous little tune about being unattractive was the first song country musician-songwriter Kris Kristofferson ever composed. He crafted it when he was just a child. He eventually transitioned into filmmaking, and many artists performed his songs… including The Grateful Dead.

The bassist who solidified The Grateful Dead’s sound, Phil Lesh, also left us this year. He credited his lengthy life to an organ donor. “I have to appreciate my organ donor, Cody, for the privilege of being alive at all, to have experienced this,” he commented during the “Fare Thee Well” tour in 2015.

Destiny frequently plays a role in how some of us are remembered.

Broadway icon Chita Rivera made a striking entrance in “West Side Story” and enjoyed a brilliant career, but a car accident nearly cut it short. “I always thought we should have two lifetimes,” she shared with “Sunday Morning” in 2013: “One to experiment, and the second to anticipate what’s ahead.”

To all those who have left their marks on stages around the world, we extend our heartfelt gratitude: Janis Paige (“The Pajama Game”) … Ken Page (“Cats”) … Helen Gallagher (“No, No, Nannette”) … Hinton Battle (“The Wiz”) … Glynis Johns (“A Little Night Music”) … Gavin Creel (“Hello, Dolly”). 

Reflect on all the individuals who brought smiles to our faces throughout their lifetimes, as well as ours: Dabney Coleman (“9 to 5”) … Teri Garr (“Young Frankenstein”) …

Martin Mull (“Fernwood 2 Night”) … Joyce Randolph (“The Honeymooners”) … Richard Lewis (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) …

Yet it was Bob Newhart who demonstrated to us all how a mild-mannered straight man could discover a punchline in a series of fits and starts, provoking both thought and laughter simultaneously. He mastered the slow burn – a unique style of his own. For him, humor was almost spiritual – he often implied as much. In 1991, he observed, “God possesses a fantastic sense of humor. Some of His creations are remarkable; He is the finest comedy writer of all!”

Dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison exuded her own heavenly grace on stage. As the former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she was able to convey through movement what poets express in words. “We’re simply very fortunate because we’ve inherited the gift of dance,” she stated in 1991. 

And then there was breaker Ray Ramos. He epitomized both an artist and an athlete.

On the baseball field, we remember Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid.” His exceptional play spoke volumes. 

The same can be said for L.A. Lakers legend Jerry West – so legendary a player that his silhouette became the emblem of the NBA.

We also mourned Greg Gumbel, a remarkable sportscaster of our time. He was the first Black American network broadcaster to provide play-by-play commentary for any major sports championship.

However, not all of our sports legends remain on their pedestal. Pete Rose may have secured a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame had he not gambled on the game he professes to cherish. In 2014, he told “Sunday Morning” that deep down, he believed he would one day be inducted into the Hall: “Absolutely. I’m not sure if I will live to witness it.”

He was stillsigning autographs the day before his passing.

Yet perhaps the most unsettling decline from fame was O.J. Simpson. He shattered numerous football records and made a name for himself in Hollywood as well. However, he became notorious during the trial concerning the murder of his ex-wife, Nichole Brown Simpson. He was acquitted, yet never absolved.

Simpson appeared as a guest on “The Phil Donahue Show.” Phil Donahue was a host who transformed daytime television – for better and for worse. “We’ve been outrageous for 29 years,” he remarked in 1996. “That’s why we arrived here. I assure you, we didn’t arrive here by resembling PBS.”

While Donahue sought provocative TV discussions, TV fitness guru Richard Simmons was seeking some stimulating per-spiration. He was a self-help phenomenon, focusing as much on mental wellness as physical fitness.

Simmons shifted the narrative surrounding exercise in the same way that another changed the dialogue surrounding intimacy: Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Her humor was endearing; her presentation, delightful. She aided countless couples. Yet, one aspect she didn’t frequently address was her background as a Holocaust survivor. She shared with “Sunday Morning” in 2002, “I have a duty to contribute something to this world, because otherwise, you know, why was I spared?”

We’re losing more and more survivors annually.

Amnon Weinstein rejuvenated the violins seized from Jews during the Holocaust. “I want to provide these 6 million individuals a voice,” he expressed in 2015. 

Ben Stern endured the procession from Buchenwald to the Austrian frontier.

Lily Ebert turned to TikTok to keep her narratives about the Holocaust alive.

Martin Greenfield, who acquired sewing skills in Auschwitz, went on to become a tailor for U.S. presidents and Hollywood stars.

And it was two sons of a Jewish immigrant from Russia, the Shermans, who also dressed some of those celebrities in melody. Richard Sherman, alongside his late brother, Robert, played a pivotal role in popularizing Walt Disney films. Their melodies were often as sweet as candy, but they frequently carried a message as well.

In 2013 he explained for “Sunday Morning” his composition “It’s a Small World” as “a prayer for peace. We must learn to coexist and honor each other’s differences.”

Comprehension can be challenging at times. Minimalist artist Frank Stella once remarked that what you perceived is what you got. He continued his work into his 80s.

Bette Nash was also active for that long; indeed, she earned the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant, over six decades in the skies and in uniform.

Julia Hawkins set world records too, after she began running and triumphing in races at the age of 100.

There were countless who departed us far before reaching the century mark, like country music luminary Toby Keith – red, white, and blue made incarnate.

And then there was Liam Payne, a member of the boy-band phenomenon One Direction. He was merely 31.

Those who entered our lives and then exited in the same manner are far too numerous to list – for instance, M. Emmet Walsh. He could portray both a villain and a hero, almost seamlessly.

Laurent De Brunhoff kept his father’s creation, Babar, thriving, advancing the stories of a gentle elephant exploring Paris.

There are many whose faint imprints still remain. Individuals like Japanese manga creator Akira Toriyama. You can give him credit for Dragon Ball.

Bruce Degen, who introduced us to the frizzy-haired science instructor Ms. Frizzle and her magical school bus.

And there’s our own circle: Jean Rather, spouse of CBS’ Dan Rather; CBS’ interim board head Richard Parsons, who had a talent for rehabilitating various troubled corporations; not to mention Jim Houtrides and Bud Lamoreaux, both crucial in bringing our friend Charles Osgood on the air every Sunday morning.

Charles Osgood was our poet laureate. He consistently provided us with his insightful yet kind viewpoint – whether in prose or song.

From Charles Osgood and all of us at “Sunday Morning,” we extend a heartfelt “Hail and Farewell” to all those who passed this year.

        
Story crafted by Young Kim. Editor: Steven Tyler. Digital producer: David Morgan.