Category: Passages

No more Dilberts

Pro-Trump pundit and ‘Dilbert’ creator Scott Adams dead at 68

Cartoonist, author, and political commentator Scott Adams died Tuesday after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 68.

His ex-wife and caregiver, Shelly, made the announcement on Adams’ livestream Tuesday morning.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t good news,” Shelly said. “Of course, he waited ’til just before the show started, but he’s not with us anymore.”

Shelly read aloud a “final message” that Adams “wanted to say” on the livestream.

“If you’re reading this, things did not go well for me,” the message began. “I have a few things to say before I go. My body fell before my brain. I am of sound mind as i write this January 1, 2026.”

Actor June Lockhart dies at 100

“Lassie” and “Lost in Space” star June Lockhart died of natural causes in her Southern California home this week, her family said Saturday. She was 100.

Lockhart played the mother roles in the two popular TV series, but she also won what is now called a Tony Award early in her career in the Broadway production “For Love or Money.”

She died at her home in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday with her daughter June Elizabeth and granddaughter Christianna by her side, the family said in a statement.

In “Lassie,” Lockhart played Ruth Martin, and in “Lost in Space” she played Maureen Robinson. She also played Dr. Janet Craig in “Petticoat Junction.”

Lockhart was long a proponent of the space agency NASA and its mission, and she appeared with pioneering moon-walking astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin

Dad was laid to rest today.

Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine
Et lux perpetua luceat ei
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.

Well. Pater Familias passed away around noon today after being home on Hospice for the past two weeks. He had a long life being close to his 101st birthday.

If you will excuse me.

MILESFORTIS WILL RETURN

 

Lalo Schifrin, Acclaimed Composer of Mission: Impossible and Mannix Themes, Dies at 93.

His résumé also included work on Coogan’s Bluff (1968) — that kicked off his long association with Eastwood and director Don Siegel — Kelly’s Heroes (1970), Charley Varrick (1973), The Eagle Has Landed (1976) Telefon (1977), The Nude Bomb (1980), Black Moon Rising (1986), Money Talks (1997), Something to Believe In (1998), Tango (1998), Bringing Down the House (2003) and The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004).

Phil Robertson, ‘Duck Dynasty’ patriarch, dies at 79 after Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Professional hunter and TV personality Phil Robertson, best known for his role on the series “Duck Dynasty,” has died. He was 79.

In an emotional May 25 Instagram post, Robertson’s son, Willie Robertson, and daughter-in-law, Korie Robertson, confirmed Phil died after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord,” the couple wrote. “He reminded us often of the words of Paul, ‘You do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

 

The rifle and pistol range in Heaven has added a new member.
John August Taffin, author, originator and Chairman Emeritus of The Shootists, and good friend has passed, aged 85, from this mortal coil and crossed the river on March 10th, after a long illness.
His presence here on Earth will be missed

Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead at their home, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office says.
In an interview with Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said there was no indication of foul play and their dog had also died.

He said Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 63 and a classical pianist, were found dead on Wednesday afternoon (Thursday AEDT) at their home in Santa Fe Summit north-east of the New Mexican city.

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Avila said deputies responded to a request to do a welfare check at the home on Wednesday about 1.45pm and found the bodies.

Mendoza did not provide a cause of death for the actor, one of the industry’s most respected and honored performers, or Arakawa, his wife of more than 30 years.

HONORING A HERO

Supporting the Family of
Sergeant Major Anders T. Johansson

Sergeant Major Anders Johansson proudly served his country for over two decades, enlisting as an infantryman in 2003. His unwavering dedication to duty saw him rise through the ranks within 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant and then within the United States Army Special Operations Command, where he held numerous leadership positions.

His bravery and commitment were recognized with numerous awards and badges, including a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, eight Bronze Stars, and was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit. Sergeant Major Johansson bravely deployed on multiple occasions in support of combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation NEW DAWN, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

Beyond his military service, Sergeant Major Johansson was married to his loving wife, Sarah.  Together, they built a beautiful life filled with laughter and love. They were blessed with four children: Anders, Gunnar, Arete and Eowyn who will forever cherish their father’s memory.

Sergeant Major Johansson will be remembered for his strength, courage, and unwavering devotion to his family and country. His legacy of service and sacrifice will continue to inspire generations to come.

Everyone seems to wonder about Carter, when he was just another politician, though one with the narcissistic mile-wide-and-deep ego needed to want to be POTUS.

The Under- and Over-Estimated Jimmy Carter, RIP

The public appearance last fall of a senile Jimmy Carter was one of the worst cases of public elder abuse I’ve ever seen. It was ghoulish of his family to wheel him out in such an undignified condition in service of a political stunt on behalf of the Democratic Party, even if Carter wanted to bask in the glow of knowing that soon he would no longer be regarded as America’s worst modern president after Joe Biden’s ignominious end.

I generally disdain speaking ill of the recently departed, and there are some aspects of real genius to the Carter story, especially his insight into how an obscure figure could rise fast and win the presidency out of the ashes of Watergate in 1976. And we can expect a flood of encomiums in the days ahead about how Carter was an unappreciated president, and above all that he was America’s greatest ex-president.

In fact this story line has been taking shape for at least 25 years now. As disastrous as his presidency was, many Americans came to have a warm spot in their heart for Carter, sympathizing with his intentions, admiring his good works such as Habitat for Humanity, fighting to eradicate horrible diseases in the Third World, and hopeful about his globetrotting efforts on behalf of peace.  People magazine, which Carter criticized during his presidency for its focus on self-absorbed celebrity, wrote about him 20 years ago: “Almost everyone agrees that Jimmy Carter was not our best President, but as former Presidents go, he’s tops,” while Time magazine wrote that Carter is the “consensus best ex-President.” Carter’s former chief of staff Jack Watson remarked effusively that Carter is “the only man in American history who used the United States presidency as a stepping-stone to greatness.” Howard Baker said in the 1980s that “history will be kind to Jimmy Carter.”

I’ll leave to another time evaluating both his presidency and ex-presidency, and for the moment reflect merely on how Carter’s character and capacities were both underestimated and overestimated from the very beginning and continuing to this day.

Continue reading “”

The Crocodile From ‘Crocodile Dundee’ Dies At 90, But Is Paul Hogan Still Alive?

It’s a sad day in Hollywood.

Burt, the Saltwater crocodile many may recognize from the 1986 comedy Crocodile Dundee, has reportedly passed away. The crocodile was estimated to be over 80 years old.

His passing was announced in a statement from the Australian herpetarium and aquarium Crocosaurus Cove, which noted that Burt “passed away peacefully over the weekend.”

The statement notes Burt was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River and came to Crocosaurus Cove in 2008, where he lived until his final days.

“Known for his independent nature,” the statement notes. “Burt was a confirmed bachelor—an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm. His fiery temperament earned him the respect of his caretakers and visitors alike, as he embodied the raw and untamed spirit of the saltwater crocodile.”

The statement continues, “Burt was truly one of a kind. He wasn’t just a crocodile; he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures. While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved.”

While this is tragic news, Burt should not be confused with comedy legend Paul Hogan, who wrote and starred in Crocodile Dundee as the titular character, Mick “Crocodile” Dundee.

Photo: Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

Is Paul Hogan Still Alive?

Hogan is very much alive and well! His most recent projects include the 2020 comedy The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, which features Hogan as himself attempting to rehabilitate his career before he gets knighted, as well as a role in the 2018 comedy That’s Not My Dog!

He also reprised his role as Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee in the 2018 comedy from Danny McBride, who plays his son Brian Dundee.

A socialist and a gun grabber, I never cared much for his musical ability either, but he was a passable actor.

Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter and actor, dies at 88

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Kristofferson, a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor, has died.

Kristofferson died at his home on Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, family spokeswoman Ebie McFarland said in an email. He was 88.

McFarland said Kristofferson died peacefully, surrounded by his family. No cause was given.

Ed Brown Products logo

We at Ed Brown Products are deeply saddened to report that Ed Brown, industry icon and founder of Ed Brown Products, has passed away.

Ed passed away at his home on September 15, 2024, after an intense battle with an aggressive, un-treatable liver cancer.

Ed was born on December 13, 1946, and is survived by his wife, who he married Nov 27, 1965. Next year would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. Ed is also survived by his three children, and six grand-children.