- Jan 4 Daniel H Craven, South African rugby coach, dies
- Jan 9 Alois Brunner, German/Syrian commandant of KZ-Lower Drancy, dies
- Jan 15 Henry Iba, American Basketball HOF coach (Olympic gold 1964, 68; NCAA C'ship 1945, 46 Oklahoma State Uni) and executive (AD Oklahoma State 1935-70), dies at 88
- Jan 16 Freddie Cochrane, American boxer (World Welterweight champion 1941-1946), dies at 77
- Jan 16 Jón Páll Sigmarsson, Icelandic strength athlete (b. 1960)
- Jan 17 Ger ter Horst, Dutch soccer trainer (Sparta), dies
- Jan 19 Chris Street, basketball player, dies at 20
- Jan 21 Charlie Gehringer, American Baseball HOF 2nd baseman (6 x MLB All Star; World Series 1935; AL MVP & batting champion 1937; Detroit Tigers), dies at 89
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