- Dec 6 Cy Young, American athlete and only US male to win gold in javelin throwing (1952 Olympics), dies of complications from dementia at 89
- Dec 7 Peter Walwyn, British thoroughbred trainer (champion trainer 1974-75), dies at 84
- Dec 10 Zarley Zalapski, Canadian NHL defenseman, 1987-2000 (Pittsburgh Penguins; Calgary Flames, and 3 other teams), dies of a viral infection at 49
- Dec 13 Tommy Nobis, American College Football HOF linebacker (Uni of Texas; #1 pick NFL Draft 1966 Atlanta Falcons; NFL Rookie of the Year 1966; First-team All-Pro 1967; 5× Pro Bowl), dies at 74
- Dec 14 Lones Wigger, American competitive rifle shooter (Olympic gold/silver-1964, 72), dies at 80
- Dec 19 Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, American baseball pitcher (1st female pitcher to play in the Negro Leagues), dies from heart complications at 82
- Dec 21 Richard "Dick" Enberg, American sportscaster (NBC, CBS, ESPN), dies of a heart attack at 82
- Dec 29 Alfred Binns, West Indian cricket wicket-keeper (5 Tests, 17 dismissals; Jamaica), dies at 88
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions