In 1963, Don Yarborough was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Texas running against the incumbent John Connally. Although both were members of the same party, Yarborough was associated with the liberal wing and had come within 27,000 votes of defeating Connally in the 1962 election.
Vice President Lyndon Johnson was concerned that a win by Yarborough would encourage conservative Democrats to switch to the Republican party and jeopardize President John F Kennedy's chances at winning a second term in 1964.
LBJ convinced President Kennedy to visit Texas on November 22, 1963. On that fateful Friday, Connally was riding in the same limousine when Kennedy was assassinated. Connally was also wounded, but recovered and easily defeated Yarborough in the 1964 election.
Mr Yarborough died on September 22, 2009 at the age of 83 in Houston from complications from Parkinson's Disease. Yarborough would make a third run for governor in 1968 before quitting politics.
He served as a lobbyist in Washington from 1968-1981 before returning to Houston and resuming his law practice.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Gertrude Bains - World's Oldest person
Gertrude Baines, the world's oldest person at 115, died on September 11, 2009 at the Western Convalescent Hospital in Los Angeles. Born in Shellman, Georgia, Ms Baines was the daughter of a former slave. Her only child died when she was 18. She also outlived all of her relatives. Last year, she was in the news for voting for Barack Obama in the presidential election.
On Jan 2nd, she became the world's oldest person after the passing of 115 year old Maria de Jesus of Portugal.
She had been at the hospital since breaking her hip at 107. She enjoyed doing interviews and watched television, including the Jerry Springer show.
During her adult life she lived in Ohio, working as a maid at Ohio State University. She later moved to Los Angeles where she lived by herself, with the help of a caretaker, until she turned 107.
With her passing, the oldest person living is Kama Chinen, a 114 year old Japanese woman.
On Jan 2nd, she became the world's oldest person after the passing of 115 year old Maria de Jesus of Portugal.
She had been at the hospital since breaking her hip at 107. She enjoyed doing interviews and watched television, including the Jerry Springer show.
During her adult life she lived in Ohio, working as a maid at Ohio State University. She later moved to Los Angeles where she lived by herself, with the help of a caretaker, until she turned 107.
With her passing, the oldest person living is Kama Chinen, a 114 year old Japanese woman.
Monday, August 31, 2009
David Laut - Olympic Medalist
David Laut who won a bronze medal for the USA in the shot put during the 1984 Olympic was shot to death on August 28, 2009 after confronting intruders outside his Oxnard, California home. He was 52.
He won two NCAA titles at UCLA in the shot put. He also won a gold medal at the 1979 Pan American games. He was favored to win a gold medal at the Olympics in Los Angels after throwing 70'10" at the Olympic trials. However, his best throw in the finals was 68'9" which left him with the bronze medal.
In 1985 he was the 7th ranked shot putter in the world, but suffered torn tendons in both of his knees while participating in an agility test for a firefighter's job. He attempted to make the 1988 team, but his effort fell short.
He continued to work out daily. His neighbors were unaware of his past accomplishments as he kept a very low profile in his community.
He won two NCAA titles at UCLA in the shot put. He also won a gold medal at the 1979 Pan American games. He was favored to win a gold medal at the Olympics in Los Angels after throwing 70'10" at the Olympic trials. However, his best throw in the finals was 68'9" which left him with the bronze medal.
In 1985 he was the 7th ranked shot putter in the world, but suffered torn tendons in both of his knees while participating in an agility test for a firefighter's job. He attempted to make the 1988 team, but his effort fell short.
He continued to work out daily. His neighbors were unaware of his past accomplishments as he kept a very low profile in his community.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tony Huesman - Transplant Recipient
Tony Huesman, 51, the world's longest surviving heart transplant recipient died on August 12, 2009 in Dayton, Ohio from cancer and diabetes. Ironically, his heart was working fine at the time of his death.
He received his new heart at Stanford University in 1978. In 2000, he became the longest living heart recipient when another patient had to undergo a second transplant.
At the time of his death, his mark of 31 years was recognized as the world's longest according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
He received his new heart at Stanford University in 1978. In 2000, he became the longest living heart recipient when another patient had to undergo a second transplant.
At the time of his death, his mark of 31 years was recognized as the world's longest according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Ed Reimer- Voice of Allstate
Ed Reimer was an actor best known for his television commercials for Allstate Insurance and his signature line of:"You're in good hands with Allstate". Mr Reimer died at the age of 96 on August 16, 2009 in upstate New York.
He was a game show host in the 1950's & 60's for "Do you trust your wife?" which was later known as "Who do you trust?" and featured Johnny Carson. He was also the announcer for the tv western "Maverick".
He became the spokesperson for Allstate in 1957 and continued until 1979. His line became synonymous with the company.
He was also featured in several movies from the 1950's including "The Loved One".
He was a game show host in the 1950's & 60's for "Do you trust your wife?" which was later known as "Who do you trust?" and featured Johnny Carson. He was also the announcer for the tv western "Maverick".
He became the spokesperson for Allstate in 1957 and continued until 1979. His line became synonymous with the company.
He was also featured in several movies from the 1950's including "The Loved One".
Sunday, July 26, 2009
John Dawson - Songwriter
John "Marmaduke" Dawson, leader of the 1970's psychedelic country group "New Riders of the Purple Sage" died on July 21, 2009 from stomach cancer at the age of 64.
He was a longtime collaborator with the Grateful Dead. He co-wrote "Friend of the Devil" with Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter.
He founded New Riders, along with Jerry Garcia to showcase his songs, along with Garcia's pedal-steel guitar playing. The band toured with the Dead from 1971-1976 and released eight albums. The group also included two other members from the Dead: bassist Phil Lesh and drummer Mickey Hart.
The New Riders received a gold record for their 1973 hit "Panama Red." He retired several years ago and was living in Mexico.
He was a longtime collaborator with the Grateful Dead. He co-wrote "Friend of the Devil" with Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter.
He founded New Riders, along with Jerry Garcia to showcase his songs, along with Garcia's pedal-steel guitar playing. The band toured with the Dead from 1971-1976 and released eight albums. The group also included two other members from the Dead: bassist Phil Lesh and drummer Mickey Hart.
The New Riders received a gold record for their 1973 hit "Panama Red." He retired several years ago and was living in Mexico.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
John Barry - Marketed WD-40
John Barry, 84, former CEO of WD-40 Co. died on July 3, 2009 in LaJolla, California. He started working for a company in the 1950's that was trying to produce a rust-preventer for missiles. The product was used to prevent corrosion on the outer layer of the rockets.
The product worked so well that employees stated to take cans of it home for personal use. The WD stood for "water displacement" and the 40 was in reference to the 40th attempt at making the final product.
Mr Barry changed the name of the company to WD-40. Initially the product was sold by salesmen traveling between hardware stores. Sales continued to mushroom for the product. Today the company has $300 million in sales in over 160 countries.
The product worked so well that employees stated to take cans of it home for personal use. The WD stood for "water displacement" and the 40 was in reference to the 40th attempt at making the final product.
Mr Barry changed the name of the company to WD-40. Initially the product was sold by salesmen traveling between hardware stores. Sales continued to mushroom for the product. Today the company has $300 million in sales in over 160 countries.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Michael Klenfner - Record Executive
Michael Klenfner was a former Atlantic Records music executive who helped transform the Blues Brothers from a skit on "Saturday Night Live" into the successful band they became. He was 62 and died of congestive heart failure on July 14, 2009 in New York City.
In the 1970's, he helped comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi transform their band act which eventually lead to a series of recording hits, as well as the successful "Blues Brothers" movie.
Over a 30 year span, he promoted the careers of hundreds of other musicians and was the producer of Cher's mega hit "Believe" in 1998.
In the 1970's, he helped comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi transform their band act which eventually lead to a series of recording hits, as well as the successful "Blues Brothers" movie.
Over a 30 year span, he promoted the careers of hundreds of other musicians and was the producer of Cher's mega hit "Believe" in 1998.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wiiliam Reedy - Driver
During the early afternoon of Christmas Day 1989, William Reedy was driving a truck that was involved in a fatal accident. His passenger was Billy Martin, the former New York Yankees manager. Martin died at the scene and Reedy suffered a broken hip.
Reedy was convicted of DUI . He was fined $350 and his licence was suspended for 6 months. At his trial, he denied being the operator of the vehicle, although the jury felt otherwise.
Reedy, 72, died at his home in Milford, Michigan on June 28, 2009 from pancreatic cancer. He owned two bars in the Detroit area and met Martin when he managed the Detroit Tigers from 1971-1973 . He remained close friends with Martin.
Reedy was convicted of DUI . He was fined $350 and his licence was suspended for 6 months. At his trial, he denied being the operator of the vehicle, although the jury felt otherwise.
Reedy, 72, died at his home in Milford, Michigan on June 28, 2009 from pancreatic cancer. He owned two bars in the Detroit area and met Martin when he managed the Detroit Tigers from 1971-1973 . He remained close friends with Martin.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Bob Bogle - Member of "The Ventures"
Bob Bogle,the co-founder and lead guitar for the 60's rock group, The Ventures died on June 14, 2009 at the age of 75 from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The group was most noted for their "surfing music" with their two greatest hits; "Walk Don't Run" and the theme song from the television series "Hawaii Five -O".
Mr Bogle co-founded the band in 1959 with Don Wilson. They were both working together at the time doing masonry work. "Walk Don't Run" made it to #2 on the Billboard charts in 1960. The "Hawaii Five-O" theme peaked at #4 in 1969. Between 1960 and 1972, they had 37 albums in the top 200.
The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
Mr Bogle co-founded the band in 1959 with Don Wilson. They were both working together at the time doing masonry work. "Walk Don't Run" made it to #2 on the Billboard charts in 1960. The "Hawaii Five-O" theme peaked at #4 in 1969. Between 1960 and 1972, they had 37 albums in the top 200.
The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
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