Thursday, April 23, 2009

Elish Ray Nance - D-Day Vet

Elisha Ray Nance was a member of the "Greatest Generation" and like thousands of others was part of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 while serving in a company of the Virginia National Guard.

He was part of a 38 man group from his home town of Bedford, Virginia (population 3,200). On that day, 18 of them initially died when they landed on Omaha Beach. Another two would also be killed later. Mr Nance was wounded and received the Purple Heart.

Because of that death-toll and its impact on the community, Bedford was chosen to be the site of the National D-Day Memorial.

Mr Nance died on April 19, 2009 at the age of 94 in Bedford. After the war, he became a letter carrier and was involved in a veteran's group that recognized the sacrifice of his National Guard company.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Randy Cain, Singer With the "Delfonics"

Randy Cain, 63, a singer and co-founder of the soul group the "Delfonics died on April 9, 2009 at his home in Shade, NJ. Mr Cain teamed up with brothers William and Wilbert Hart to form the group while they attended Philadelphia's Overbrook High School.

They are best known for the hits "La La Mean I Love You" and their 1970 R&B Grammy winner "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time." Mr Cain left the trio in 1971 and later returned to a new version of the group.

Felix "Doc" Blanchard, Army Football Player

Felix "Doc" Blanchard won the Heisman Trophy in 1945 and was part of college football's most legendary backfields. Known as "Mr Inside" and playing full-back, he teamed up with "Mr Outside" Glenn Davis to help Army win national collegiate championships in 1944 and 1945.

Mr Blanchard, 84, died on April 19, 2009 at his home in Bulverde, TX. While at Army, he also played linebacker, place kicker, and punter and helped the team to a 27-01-1 record from 1944-46. He was the first junior to win the Heisman.

He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the third overall pick, but never played in the NFL. He became a fighter pilot in the Air Force and served in Korea and Viet Nam, retiring as a colonel.

His teammate, Glenn Davis died in 2005 at the age of 80.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Russell Dunham, Medal of Honor Recipient

Russell Dunham, 89, died on April 6, 2009 at his home in Godfry, IL. A cold day on January 8, 1945 in Kayserbery, France during World War II set the stage for a moment that would define his life.

In an extraordinary display of valor, he single handily eliminated three German machine-gun positions saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. Despite being wounded and shot at point-blank by a German soldier, he returned to action a few days later only to be taken prisoner by the enemy. He was able to escape and make his way back to Allie lines in spite of sever frost bite that nearly cost him his feet.

He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the militar's highest award for bravery. He was one of the 97 Medal of Honor recipients still alive.

After his military service, Mr Dunham spent 32 years as a benefits counselor for the Veteran's Administration in St Louis.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Kyle Woods, Paralyzed Fotball Player

On a fall day in 1979, 19 year old Kyle Woods, a defensive back for Baylor University, was paralyzed from the neck down after breaking his neck while making a tackle in practice.

Mr Woods died at the age of 49 on April 2, 1979 after being in a coma since suffering a heart attack on March 22. He was a beloved icon and member of the Baylor football family.

At the time of his accident, his former coach Grant Teaff set up a trust fund to purchase a home for Mr Woods outside of Dallas where he lived for the last 29 years.

In 2000, former teammates raised $92,000 for a specially equipped van for him. A similar campaign in 2003 raised over over $200,000 for a new home and furnishings for Mr Woods.

Bud Shank, Noted Flutist

Bud Shank was a versatile musician who was credited with bringing Brazilian music to U.S. audiences and helped define"Cool Jazz" in the 1950's. He died at the age of 82 on April 2, 2009 at his home in Tuscon, AZ.

Mr Shank had a 60 year career starting in the Big Bands of the 1040's. He was one of the creators of "West Coast school of cool,"along with Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and Dave Brubeck.This form of jazz was seen as the relaxed, melodic counterpart of the California lifestyle of the 1950's.

He was one of the first musicians to use the flute as a musical instrument in jazz. He later utilized his skills as a backup musician for various recording artists.

Among his biggest works was a 33 second flute solo in the 1965 smash hit "California Dreamin" by the Mammas the Papas which he improvised in the studio. He would also have a noted flute solo in the Association's number one hit "Windy" in 1967 .

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Mario Reyes - Crane Operator & Family Man

The life of Mario Reyes, 59, ended on Saturday, March 14th shortly after he finished his shift as a crane operator unloading cargo for the Port of Miami. Reyes had just punched out at 7am and was trying to cross a street to catch a bus. Reyes was struck and killed by a car driven by NFL player Donte Stallworth.

Reyes was an immigrant from Cuba who came to America as a teenager and settled in Miami. Unable to attend college, he was involved in construction before he took a job on third shift as a crane operator. He was described as a devoted husband of 20 years and also left behind his 15 year old daughter. He was a huge baseball fan and enjoyed the Florida Marlins and the recent World Baseball Classic.

His death would have stayed under the radar except that the driver of the car was an NFL player who was subsequently charged with DUI manslaughter. Another minute would have changed the fate of both men.