Doc Blanchard
Felix “Doc” Blanchard, who won the 1945 Heisman Trophy and teamed with Glenn Davis to form one of the most famous backfields in college football history, died of pneumonia at his home in Bulverde, Texas, on April 19, 2009. He was 84. The Bishopville, S.C., native, who went to high school in Bay St. Louis, Miss., helped lead the Army Black Knights to consecutive national championships in 1944-45. He was an All-American in three consecutive seasons from 1944-46. Blanchard became the first junior to win the Heisman Trophy in 1945. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. After graduating from West Point in 1947, Blanchard was an Air Force pilot, serving in Korea and Vietnam.

Manuel Curry
Sgt. Maj. Manuel Curry, who was on city of New Orleans police force for more than six decades and was believed to be the longest serving full-time law enforcement officer in the nation, died June 4. He was 84. Research done in 2002 by the New Orleans chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police found he had the longest active service career of any police officer in the country. He was still an active member at the time of his death. Curry joined the department in 1946 and was in the city’s Sixth Police District for more than 63 years. The World War II veteran took part in the D-Day invasion in 1944.

Nick Adenhart
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed by a suspected drunk driver in Fullerton, Calif., a shocking end to the life of a rookie who had overcome major elbow surgery to realize his big league dreams. The Williamsport, Md., native was selected by the Angels in the 14th round of the 2004 draft. At the time of his death, he was the youngest pitcher on a big league roster, at age 22. The April 9 accident occurred hours after the he made his season debut with his father in the stands, throwing six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. The Angels ultimately lost the game, 6-4. “It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten,” manager Mike Scioscia said at an Angel Stadium news conference.

Hal Woodeshick
Former Major League Baseball star Hal Woodeshick, who pitched for the expansion Houston Colt .45s during an 11-year career in which he was an All-Star and part of a World Series championship team, died at the age of 76 in Houston, Texas, on June 14. Known as a durable reliever, Woodeshick went 44-62 with 61 saves and a 3.56 ERA with Houston, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, and St. Louis. He led the National League with 23 saves in 1964. He was nicknamed “The Switchman” for his ability to “turn out the lights” on opposing batters.

Vern Gosdin
Country music legend Vern Gosdin, nicknamed “The Voice,” died at the age of 74 on April 28. The Alabama native was on the country charts from the mid-1970s until the early ‘90s, and considered one of the best honky tonk singers of his time. Tammy Wynette once said of Gosdin that he was “the only other singer who can hold a candle to George Jones.” Gosdin had No. 1 hits with “I Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You’re Gonna Love Me Tonight)” in 1983, “Set ‘Em Up Joe” in 1988, and “I’m Still Crazy” in 1989. Although not a chart-topper, his 1989 hit “Chiseled In Stone” earned the CMA’s song of the year honor. Gosdin suffered a stroke in early April, and died at a Nashville hospitial.

Barry Beckett
Barry Beckett, a producer and keyboard player who recorded and accompanied singers Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, and numerous country music stars, died on June 10 in Hendersonville, Tenn. He had been diagnosed with cancer and suffered strokes. He was 66. The Birmingham, Ala., native was involved in the “Muscle Shoals Sound,” being a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, and in 1969, one of the founders of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Beckett moved to Nashville in 1982 to become A&R director for Warner Bros. Nashville.