- Oct 4 Jim Holton, Scottish soccer defender (15 caps; Manchester United, Coventry City), dies of a heart attack at 42
- Oct 9 C. R. Rangachari, Indian cricketer (4 Tests for India), dies at 77
- Oct 9 Geert de Vlaeminck, Belgian champion cyclist, dies at 26
- Oct 12 Tofik Bakhramov, Russian footballer (b. 1926)
- Oct 14 Bertie Clarke, West Indian cricket spin bowler (3 Tests, 6 wickets; Barbados, Northamptonshire CCC, Essex CCC), dies at 75
- Oct 19 Bert Schoofs, table tennis star, dies at 48
- Oct 21 Irving Torgoff, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), dies at 75
Roger Turner (1901-1993)
Oct 29 American figure skater (7x US National Champion), dies at 92