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Memorial Service To Be Held Thursday For 'Soul Train' Creator Don Cornelius

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A memorial service will be held Thursday for "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius, whose death has been ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles County Coroner.

Cornelius, 75, was found Feb. 1 with a gunshot wound to the head in his Sherman Oaks home.

The private ceremony, which will be led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, will take place at Forest Lawn.

Cornelius created the landmark show, which debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006. Cornelius served as host between 1971 and 1993, ending each episode with: "And you can bet your last money, it's all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!"

He had reportedly been in poor health since he divorced his wife in 2010.

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