Carl Dean’s Passing After 60 Years Together

A Heartfelt Loss Carl Dean, the businessman and husband of Dolly Parton for nearly 60 years, passed away at the age of 82. He died on March 3 in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

Dolly’s Tribute Dolly Parton, 79, shared a touching statement: “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t capture the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.” Their family has requested privacy during this difficult time.

Family and Final Arrangements Dean is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie. A private funeral will be held for immediate family.

Life Together and Their Marriage Reflecting on their long marriage, Parton once shared on the Dumb Blonde podcast: “He told me, ‘Do everything you want, but don’t ask me to go to another one of these damn things.'” He had no interest in the spotlight, something she had always understood. “He loves music, but he’s not interested in being in it,” Parton explained.

Renewing Their Vows In 2016, the couple renewed their vows at their Nashville home, celebrating their enduring love.

Opposites But In Love Despite their differences—he quiet, she loud—they made it work. “We never fought back and forth. If there was tension, one of us would crack a joke to break it,” she said.

A Chance Meeting Their love story began in 1964, outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville. Parton, 18, and Dean, 21, met when he drove by in his pickup truck and “hollered” at her.

Behind the Scenes Support As Parton rose to fame, Dean supported her while running his road-paving business. Even decades later, Parton kept the spark alive by dressing up for her husband. “I fix my hair and put on makeup because I want to look good for him too,” she said in 2022.