- Jan 12 Glen "Turk" Edwards, American College-Pro Football HOF tackle (Washington State Uni; NFL C'ship 1937; 3 × First-team All-Pro; NFL All-Star 1939; Washington Redskins) and coach (Washington Redskins 1946-48), dies at 65
- Jan 24 Alan Lissette, New Zealand cricket spin bowler (2 Tests, 3 wickets; Auckland, Northern Districts), dies from heart disease at 53
- Jan 25 Masao Ohba, Japanese boxer (WBA flyweight champion 1970-73), dies in a car accident at 23
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