As we are stepping into the new year, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on the people we lost in 2018. This article is written in memoriam of those people.

Marvel co-creator and comic book pioneer Stan Lee died on November 12, 2018, at the age of 95. Stan Lee was a legend, and acted as a beacon of happiness and inspiration for comic book readers worldwide. He created iconic characters like Spiderman, The Hulk, Thor, and many others.

Mac Miller was found dead in his home from a drug overdose in early September. Mac Miller released 5 studio albums, with the latest of those being in August of 2018. People who had met Miller noted that he was “the nicest guy you’ll ever meet”.

XXXTentacion was shot in his car outside of a motorcycle club on June 18, 2018. He was born in January of 1998 in Plantation, Florida. After his death, his second studio album ‘?’ sales increased by more than 700,000%.

Austin Powers star Verne Troyer died in April at the age of 49 from an apparent suicide. He was best known as Dr. Evil’s Mini-Me, and was only 2’ 8”.

George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the united states and father to the 43rd, died at the age of 94. Before he served as president, he was the vice-president from 1981-1989.

Spongebob creator Stephen Hillenburg died on November 26 at the age of 57. He died from Lou Gehrig’s disease / ALS. He directed, produced, and wrote for the classic TV show SpongeBob Squarepants.

Burt Reynolds was an American actor and Oscar Nominee. He died at the age of 82 from a heart attack. He was best known for his roles in Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, and The Longest Yard.

John McCain was a Vietnam War veteran and served as a senator for Arizona from January 1987 until his death in August of 2018. He was buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery.

Former LazyTown star and internet personality Stefan Karl Stefansson died after several battles with cancer on August 21. He was best known for the song he performed on LazyTown. We Are Number One.

Aretha Franklin was a Memphis born singer-songwriter, and civil rights activist. She also died in August after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was commemorated during the Grammys and MTV VMAs.

Dr. Stephen Hawking was an English born theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author. He was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21 and outlived his prognosis by more than 50 years. He is best known for his research into black holes.