Nguyen Cao Ky dies at 80; wartime leader of South Vietnam

The former general, who sometimes took ruthless action, lived in Southern California after Saigon fell to North Vietnam.

British painter Lucian Freud dies at 88

Freud, whose works are highly prized by collectors, created subjects in anguished, anti-erotic poses. He used impasto, a technique involving the thick application of paint, to create his highly textured portraits.

Joe Morris Sr. dies at 85; Navajo code talker during World War II

The Marine was among about 400 Navajos whose use of their native language in transmitting messages successfully thwarted Japanese code breakers in the Pacific.

Lillian Mobley dies at 81; South Los Angeles activist

Lillian Mobley, a tireless community activist, fought to establish the King/Drew hospital and its related medical school.

Norbert Olberz memorial service moved to La Cañada Flintridge Country Club

Norbert Olberz dies at 86; Sport Chalet founder, CEO for 4 decades

A native of Germany, Olberz bought a ski and tennis shop in La Cañada Flintridge and expanded it into an outdoor-superstore chain with 55 outlets in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

Jerry Ragovoy dies at 80; songwriter had hits with Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin

Jerry Ragovoy wrote or co-wrote hits including 'Time Is On My Side,' 'Piece of My Heart,' 'Cry Baby,' 'Get It While You Can' and 'Stay With Me.'

Juan Maria Bordaberry dies at 83; Uruguayan dictator

A wealthy landowner, Bordaberry was democratically elected in 1971, then made a transition to dictator after a self-coup. His years in power were marked by disappearances, torture and killings.

John Mosca dies at 86; ran popular restaurant near New Orleans

John Mosca's two-room roadhouse was famous for its Italian-style garlicky shrimp, oysters, chicken and marinated crab dishes, served on platters rather than individually.

Travis Bean dies at 63; innovative guitar-maker

Jerry Garcia and the Rolling Stones are among the fans of Travis Bean's electric guitars, made with a solid aluminum neck and headstock. He came up with the design in a Burbank shop in the 1970s and quit making them after five years rather than compromise quality.

Joseph Hittelman dies at 100; physician persecuted in McCarthy era

L.A. doctor's advocacy of reforms such as healthcare for the poor brought the attention of the House Un-American Activities Committee. He refused to answer their questions and was blacklisted for several years.

J. Terrence Lanni dies at 68; casino exec helped Las Vegas clean up its image

The corporate world trusted J. Terrence Lanni, a USC grad whose staid personality reassured investors that Las Vegas was no longer run by mobsters. Under his stewardship, MGM Grand grew into a 17-resort conglomerate.

Sam Perricone dies at 91; giant of citrus industry

Sam Perricone, a resident of Sunset Beach in Orange County, owned or was a partner in approximately 25 businesses related to agriculture.

David Zamora dies at 56; Colton mayor

Zamora, who worked for the San Bernardino County city for nearly three decades, was elected mayor less than a year ago. He had a heart attack while driving to City Hall and struck a pole.

Theodore Roszak dies at 77; scholar coined the term 'counterculture'

A historian, social critic and novelist, Roszak examined the intellectual underpinnings of the social uprising of American youths that began in the mid-1960s.

Roberts Blossom dies at 87; character played neighbor in 'Home Alone'

Roberts Blossom also won three Obie Awards for his off-Broadway work and performed on Broadway and TV and in many other films. He was a poet whose works were published in several books.

Sherwood Schwartz dies at 94; 'Gilligan's Island' and 'Brady Bunch' creator

Comedy writer and producer Sherwood Schwartz also wrote the memorable theme song lyrics for the wacky tale of a shipwrecked 'three-hour tour' and the story of the marriage between a 'lovely lady' with three daughters and 'a man named Brady' with three sons.