Pete Rose, Jo Ann Davidson, Johnny Gaudreau and other notable Ohio figures who died in 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a look back at the deaths of artists, athletes, entertainers, public servants, and more who made their mark, both on Ohio and nationally. Their memories and legacies continue to live on as they’re remembered.

Here are some of the notable figures in Ohio that we lost in 2024 (as of Dec. 23).

Pete Rose, April 14, 1941-Sept. 30, 2024

Baseball legend and Cincinnati native Pete Rose is the MLB’s all-time hits leader. Nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” on the field, the Cincinnati Reds player and manager cultivated a 24-year career that included being an All-Star 17 times, winning the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1973, three batting titles and two Gold Gloves. He was part of three World Series-winning teams. He died at the age of 83.

Nikki Giovanni, Jun. 7, 1943-Dec. 9, 2024

The acclaimed, Cincinnati-raised poet was known as “The Princess of Black Poetry” and gained international recognition. Born Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni, Jr., she published dozens of bestselling poetry collections and children’s books, including 1968’s “Black Judgment” and 1983’s “Those Who Ride the Night Winds.” She received numerous awards for her literary work and also served as a civil rights activist and educator. Giovanni died Dec. 9 at 81 years old due to complications from lung cancer.

Eric Carmen, Aug. 11, 1949-Mar. 11, 2024

The Cleveland-born singer and songwriter was the man behind hits such as “All By Myself,” “Never Going to Fall in Love Again” and “Hungry Eyes.” Lead singer of the Raspberries, the group produced the smash hit “Go All the Way,” and a wealth of other popular records and toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. He died at 74.

Jo Ann Davidson, Sept. 28, 1927–Oct. 25, 2024

Davidson made history as the first woman elected speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1995, and her extensive career in public service lasted several decades. The Ohio House recently passed a bill to designate September 28th, Davidson’s birthday, as “Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Day.” Davidson died on Oct. 25 at 97 years old.

Phil Donahue, Dec. 21, 1935-Aug. 18, 2024

TV legend Phil Donahue was often referred to as a pioneer and the king of daytime talk shows with a media career that spanned decades. “The Phil Donahue Show” started as a local program in Dayton in 1967 before becoming nationally syndicated in 1969. The show was later known simply as “Donahue.” The Cleveland native died at the age of 88 and is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, actress, author and humanitarian Marlo Thomas.

Johnny Gaudreau, Aug. 13, 1993-Aug. 29, 2024

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau, nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” made his National Hockey League debut in 2014 and joined the league’s all-rookie team during his first full pro season, according to the Associated Press. He and his brother, Matthew, were killed after being struck by a car while bicycling in New Jersey the day before their sister’s wedding. He was 31.

Kirk Schuring, Sept. 17, 1952-Nov. 22, 2024

Ohio’s second-longest serving lawmaker, State Sen. J. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) never lost an election for Ohio Senate or House. The Canton-born senator served for more than 30 years in the Ohio General Assembly and sponsored dozens of bills, including economic policy, sports gaming and healthcare, that eventually became law. He died at the age of 72 following a battle with cancer.

Jim Donovan, July 17, 1956-Oct. 26, 2024

Named the radio “Voice of the Cleveland Browns,” Donovan served as the team’s play-by-play announcer for 25 seasons. He was also a sports and news anchor for 39 years at WKYC. He died at age 68 after a battle with cancer.

Dan Coughlin, Sept. 17, 1938-Oct. 6, 2024

Revered sports journalist and Ohio native Dan Coughlin served as a longtime sports anchor and writer, retiring from full time TV work in 2018, the same year he released his final book “Just One More Story …” the same year. Throughout his decades-long career, he covered “every sport except golf and horse racing,” his obituary reads. He died at 86.

Teri Garr, Dec. 11, 1944-Oct. 28, 2024

The Oscar-nominated actress was born in Lakewood, Ohio, in 1944. She starred in multiple memorable TV shows and comedic films, including “Young Frankenstein,” “Mr. Mom” and “Tootsie.” Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, Garr died from complications of the disease in October. She was 79 years old.

Tom Sweeney, August 1946-Feb. 14, 2024

Former Cleveland anchor and reporter Thomas Gerard Sweeney, Jr., worked with WKYC-TV 3 News for several years as a weekend news co-anchor before launching a weekday evening news program. A veteran, Sweeney served in the U.S. Army infantry in Vietnam, having received multiple awards for his military service. According to his obituary, he died at age 77 from cancer and dementia complications.

Richard Lewis, June 29, 1947-Feb. 27, 2024

A stand-up comedian and Ohio State University alum, Lewis was best known for his role in the HBO sitcom “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and his robust career in comedy and entertainment. An avid Ohio State fan, Lewis graduated from the university in 1969, where he continuously repped his Buckeye pride. He died at age 76 from a heart attack.

Mojo Nixon, Aug. 2, 1957-Feb. 7, 2024

Famed musician, comedian, radio DJ, and actor Mojo Nixon was known for his humorous and satirical song lyrics, having created several popular hits, including the hits “Elvis Is Everywhere” and “Don Henley Must Die.” Born Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr., he was a radio host in Cincinnati and appeared in a number of films. He died at age 66 from a cardiac event. The Ohio House of Representatives officially declared June 11 Mojo Nixon Day.

Frank Ryan, July 12, 1936-Jan. 1, 2024

The former Cleveland Browns quarterback led the NFL team to their 1964 NFL championship title while at the same time earning his doctorate in mathematics. He later became a professor of math at Case Institute of Technology (later renamed Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he helped develop its first electronic voting system for Congress. He died at the age of 87 on New Year’s Day.

Cleveland Browns mascot “SJ,” 2018-2024

Swagger Jr., also known as “SJ,” was the bullmastiff mascot for the Cleveland Browns. SJ followed his father Swagger, who was the first live mascot for the NFL team, according to Sports Illustrated, as the team’s mascot in 2019. SJ died over the summer at the age of 5.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Remembering Pete Rose, Nikki Giovanni, more famous Ohioans who died in 2024