- Dec 6 Burleigh Grimes, American Baseball HOF pitcher (World Series 1931 St. Louis Cardinals; NL wins leader 1921, 28; NL strikeout leader 1921 Brooklyn Robins, Pittsburgh Pirates), dies at 92
- Dec 14 Charlie Bachman, American College Football Hall of Fame guard and coach (Notre Dame, Florida, Michigan State), dies at 93
Roger Maris (1934-1985)
Dec 14 American baseball right fielder (7-time MLB All Star, 61 HRs 1961), dies of cancer at 51
- Dec 16 Dick Pollard, cricketer (England fast-medium bowler 1946-48), dies
Harry Hopman (1906-1985)
Dec 27 Australian tennis player, coach (Davis Cup captain 1939-67, won 16), dies of a heart attack at 79
- Dec 31 Mal Matheson, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (2 Tests) and rugby union Test referee (Australia v NZ 1946), dies at 79
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions