- Dec 2 Steve Hamilton, American baseball pitcher (New York Yankees) and basketball forward (Minneapolis Lakers), dies of cancer at 63
- Dec 6 Willy den Ouden, Dutch swimmer (WR 100m freestyle, 1:04.06 1933-56; Olympic gold 4×100m freestyle 1936), dies at 79
- Dec 7 Billy Bremner, Scottish footballer (Leeds United), dies at 54 from a suspected heart attack
- Dec 13 Harry Glaß, German ski jumper (Olympic bronze 1956), dies at 67
- Dec 20 Dick Spooner, English cricket wicket-keeper (7 Tests; 12 dismissals), dies at 77
- Dec 21 Bruce Woodcock, English boxer, European Heavyweight Champion, dies at 76
- Dec 23 Keith Bentley, English international racing cyclist, dies at 72
- Dec 29 Pat Clarke, British cyclist, dies at 82
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions