Notable Passings

...I just learned that Pam Murphy, the widow of war hero and actor Audie Murphy, passed away last April at the age of 90. Veterans Today published a tribute to Mrs. Murphy, who spent decades working on behalf of veterans.

...Benny Powell, a jazz tromobonist who played with Count Basie, has died at the age of 80. He appeared for eight years on TV's THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW.

...Film and TV composer Allyn Ferguson has died at 85. Ferguson wrote the score for James Garner's film SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER (1971) and composed many TV themes, including BARNEY MILLER, CHARLIE'S ANGELS, and POLICE STORY. He also scored several literary-themed TV-movies produced by Norman Rosemont, including THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (1975), THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK (1977), and IVANHOE (1982).

In the 1950s Ferguson created the Chamber Jazz Sextet.