Record-setting sprinter and humanitarian Lee Evans, who had deep roots in the Valley, died Wednesday at the age of 74 in Lagos, Nigeria. Evans won five U.S. 400-meter titles and two Olympic gold medals, dominating the event in the 1960s. He set records that stood for many years. But perhaps...
Longtime Fresno Real Estate Advocate Gerard Lozano Dies at 50
Gerard Lozano, executive vice president of the Fresno Association of Realtors passed away October 1 at the age of 50, his family said. An realtors association representative said Lozano was diagnosed several weeks ago with a rare form of thyroid cancer. Lozano started his career as governmental affairs director 20...
A Generation of Fresno Kids Dreamed of Being the Next Tom Seaver
I grew up when any Fresno kid who had a bat and glove or a shoebox stuffed with baseball cards wanted to be the next Tom Seaver. He was the star pitcher with the big fastball, the network TV commercials, a beautiful wife, Nancy, and the game's biggest stage —...
Tom Berryhill, Politician, Champion of Farmers and Organ Donors, Dies at 67
Tom Berryhill, a former Valley representative in the Assembly and state Senate, died Saturday at the age of 67. Berryhill, a champion for agriculture and a fourth-generation farmer himself, had suffered health issues much of his political life. In 2001, Berryhill had a heart transplant and at the time of...
Few Loved Coaching or Hated Losing as Much as Boyd Grant
It's hard to believe now with Fresno State virtually begging fans to show up to games, but there was a time — before Jerry Tarkanian — when Bulldogs basketball was the hottest ticket in town. Not just among sports fans, either. Everybody who was anybody wanted to be there. To...
In Memoriam: Bob Bennett, 86, Coach, Mentor, Visionary
Bob Bennett, the winningest baseball coach in Fresno State history and a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, has died. He was 86. The school announced Bennett's death Sunday. It did not provide additional details. Bennett had been in the hospital since May 18 following a heart procedure. Bennett won...
RIP, George Hostetter, the Master of Shoe-Leather Journalism
George Hostetter had many great loves in his life: Family, journalism, the American Dream, walking, sports, economic theory, junior colleges — and Kit Kat bars. He died Thursday evening of prostate cancer surrounded by his family at his northwest Fresno home. George, 70, is survived by his wife, Mary Hostetter;...
‘Face of Cancer’ Founder Holly Carter, 50, Has Died
Holly Carter, whose battle with cancer inspired a Fresno charity helping women like her, died Tuesday. She was 50 years old and had entered hospice in early May. Said Carter late last year: “Every woman battling cancer wants to be seen as a beautiful valiant warrior." Throughout her health challenges, Carter...
Herman Wouk, Author of ‘Caine Mutiny’ and ‘Winds of War,’ Dies at 103
NEW YORK — Herman Wouk was a prize-winning, million-selling author never quite in fashion. He was a religious Jew among secular peers, a respecter of authority in a field of rebels. He didn't brag like Norman Mailer and was spared the demons driving the madness of Philip Roth's "Portnoy's Complaint."...
Funeral for Longtime Legislative Staffer MaryAlice Kaloostian Is Wednesday
Memorial services are scheduled Wednesday for MaryAlice Kaloostian, a longtime staffer for several central San Joaquin Valley legislators. Kaloostian, who worked for three state senators, died last week. She last served on the staff of now-former state Sen. Tom Berryhill, who termed out in 2018. In a statement, state Sen....