Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., 93, who became the 38th president of the United States as a result of some of the most extraordinary events in U.S. history, died on Dec. 26. He was 93.
Ford had battled pneumonia in January 2006 and underwent two heart treatments—including an angioplasty—in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
He was the only occupant of the White House never elected either to the presidency or the vice presidency. He was sworn in as president Aug. 9, 1974, when Richard M. Nixon resigned as a result of the Watergate scandal. Ford had become vice president Dec. 6, 1973, two months after Spiro T. Agnew pleaded no contest to a tax evasion charge and resigned from the office. Ford occupied the White House for just 896 days—starting from a ceremony on Aug. 9, 1974, and ending after his defeat by Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election, according to The New York Times. During that time, he survived two assassination attempts.
Born Leslie Lynch King, Jr., on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, his name was changed after his divorced mother married Gerald R. Ford. King became Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
Ford was the longest-living president, followed by Ronald Reagan, who also died at 93. Ford had been living at his desert home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, The Washington Post noted.
In a statement, the Log Cabin Republicans mourned Ford's death and sent condolences to his wife and the family. 'President Ford was a great man called to lead our country during one of its most difficult hours,' said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. 'He will be remembered for helping to heal a wounded nation and for acting as a force for tolerance and common sense American values.'
In 2001, President Ford joined the advisory board of the Republican Unity Coalition, a gay-straight alliance which was formed to advocate for gay and lesbian issues within the Republican Party. Ford's decision to join that board marked the first time a past or current U.S. president had joined an organization advocating for gay equality.
He is survived by Betty Ford, his wife of 58 years; his brother, Richard, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; four children, Michael, John ( Jack ) , Steven and Susan; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, according to a statement from Ford's office.
Services took place in Palm Deserts, Calif., and Washingon, D.C. Ford's funeral was on Jan. 3 at Grace Episcopal Church in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich.
James Brown
James Brown, the singer who came from humble beginnings to become known worldwide as the 'Godfather of Soul,' died in an Atlanta hospital on Christmas Day. He was 73.
Brown was born in South Carolina during the Great Depression, picking cotton and shining shoes as a child. Sent to reform school at 16, he met Bobby Byrd, a gospel group leader who gave Brown his start. They switched to blues after hearing Hank Ballard and Fats Domino.
Brown had his first pop hit in 1965 with the song Papa's Got a Brand New Bag. He had 114 entries on Billboard's R&B singles charts and 17 number ones on the Hot 100 singles charts, his Web site said. He received a lifetime-achievement Grammy Award in 1992.
A public funeral service for Brown was held Dec. 30 in his hometown of Augusta, Ga. ( Rev. Al Sharpton officiated the event, and celebrities such as Michael Jackson spoke. ) A private funeral service for his family and friends was held the day before.
Brown is survived by his partner, Tomi Rae Hynie, one of his backup singers, and at least four children.
