you just find that out by accident, it happened twice this year for me.
Gary Lee Yoder from Kak passed away last year and I found out recently, and just now while listening to The Hobbits and sharing a song with friends I find the site of Jimmy Curtiss, and the first thing that pops up once you're there is a notice he passed away February this year and a link to an obituary.
I guess my main point is RIP to all the great underappreciated musicians out there, they may be gone but they left us some great art.