Carl Dean, husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, passed away Monday in Nashville at 82.
A private ceremony will be held, attended only by close family members.
Dolly Parton expressed her grief, saying words can’t capture their love over 60 years.
She thanked everyone for their prayers and kind messages during this difficult time.
The family has requested privacy, and no official cause of death has been disclosed.
Love Story
Dean met Parton the day she arrived in Nashville at age 18.
They met outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat and had an instant connection.
Parton recalled being surprised that he looked at her face while talking.
She felt he truly wanted to know her as a person, not just as a singer.
Two years later, they married on Memorial Day, May 30, 1966.
Private Life
Their wedding was a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, with only close relatives present.
Dean chose a private life away from the spotlight despite Parton’s worldwide fame.
He was a businessman who owned an asphalt-paving company in Nashville.
His parents, Virginia “Ginny” Bates Dean and Edgar “Ed” Henry Dean, raised three children.
Parton had a close bond with his mother, calling her “Mama Dean.”
Longtime Companion
Dean and Parton’s relationship remained strong throughout their nearly 60-year marriage.
She once said people believed he didn’t exist because he stayed out of the public eye.
In a 1984 interview, Parton joked about proving he was real by posing for a magazine.
“I don’t want people thinking I’m married to a wart or something,” she laughed.
Despite the fame, they built a quiet and loving life together.
Survived By Family
Dean is survived by Dolly Parton and his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.
His passing marks the end of a private yet devoted relationship spanning six decades.
Fans and celebrities have shared their condolences, honoring their long-lasting love.
Though he stayed out of the public eye, Dean was an important part of Parton’s life.
The couple’s love story remains one of country music’s most cherished.
