Gordon Stoker dies at 88; sang with group backing Elvis Presley

Gordon Stoker was the lead tenor with the Jordanaires. The gospel harmony quartet performed as Elvis Presley's primary backup on stage and in the studio until 1968.

Olen Burrage dies at 82; suspect in slayings of Mississippi civil rights workers

Burrage was acquitted in the deaths of 3 men whose bodies were found buried under a dam on his property in 1964. The case led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

Anthony Lewis dies at 85; two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

Anthony Lewis was a New York Times columnist for 32 years, championing such causes as free speech and human rights. He was known for his skill at interpreting and writing clearly about the decisions of the Warren Court.

Rise Stevens dies at 99; mezzo soprano sang 'Carmen'

Stevens, who sang for the Metropolitan Opera for more than two decades, had a voice described as 'pure velvet.' She appeared with Bing Crosby in the film 'Going My Way.'

Abe Baum dies at 91; decorated WWII officer

Under orders from Gen. George S. Patton Jr., Baum led Task Force Baum, an ill-fated mission in March 1945 to liberate a prison camp deep in German territory, where Patton's son-in-law was being held.

Joe Weider dies at 93; bodybuilding pioneer and publisher

Weider popularized bodybuilding worldwide, creating a multimillion-dollar empire of magazines such as Muscle & Fitness, Men's Fitness and Shape, and discovered Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Russia ex-tycoon Boris Berezovsky found dead

The exiled Russian, who became a foe of Putin, had claimed to be the target of assassination attempts. The circumstances of his demise in Britain are unclear.

Chinua Achebe dies at 82; Nigerian writer

His 1958 debut novel, 'Things Fall Apart,' presented European colonization from an African viewpoint and established him as the patriarch of modern African literature.

George Lowe dies at 89; climber was on Everest expedition with Hillary

Lowe, a New Zealander like Sir Edmund Hillary, was the last surviving climber from the 1953 expedition.

Nicholas Petris dies at 90; liberal California lawmaker

Petris, a Greek American Democrat from Oakland, was known for his eloquence on the floor of the Senate. He championed laws benefiting the mentally ill, elderly, farmworkers and the environment.

Harry Reems dies at 65; porn actor starred in 'Deep Throat'

Harry Reems became a cause celebre in Hollywood after he was convicted on federal obscenity charges related to 'Deep Throat.' The charges were eventually dropped.

Henry Bromell dies at 65; writer helped usher in literary TV drama

Emmy-winning writer-producer worked on highly acclaimed shows, including 'Homeland,' 'Northern Exposure' and 'Homicide: Life on the Street.'

James L. Barrett dies at 86; pioneering Napa vintner

After leaving his law practice, James Barrett devoted himself to the Chateau Montelena estate. Its Chardonnay won a prestigious Paris tasting in 1976.

Michael Roarty dies at 84; marketer helped build Anheuser-Busch brand

Michael Roarty oversaw famous ad campaigns, including "This Bud's for you," and persuaded the brewer to help finance the launch of ESPN.

Robert Relyea dies at 82; film producer and MGM/UA executive

Relyea worked on several Steve McQueen movies, including 'Bullitt' and 'The Great Escape.' At MGM/UA, he oversaw production of 'Get Shorty,' 'Legally Blonde' and some James Bond films.