Carl Dean, the devoted husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, has passed away at the age of 82, a loss that has resonated deeply within the music community and among fans alike. According to a statement from Parton's publicist, Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 3, and his family has requested privacy as they mourn privately. Parton shared her heartfelt grief on social media, stating, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.” His passing marks the end of a nearly 60-year marriage that was characterized by strong love and mutual respect.

Parton and Dean first met in 1964 outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville on the day she moved to the city to pursue her dreams as a singer. Dean, who had been 21 at the time, would later inspire one of Parton's most famous hits, “Jolene,”, a story about a bank teller harboring a crush on him. According to Parton, “She got this terrible crush on my husband... it was a running joke between us.”

They married two years later, on May 30, 1966, in a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, attended only by close family. Dean, a businessman who owned an asphalt-paving business, chose a life away from the spotlight where he enjoyed simple pleasures away from fame.

This enduring relationship was often marked by their shared love of food, with Parton noting that cooking was their true love language. She shared stories of their favorite meals and their tradition of dining at fast-food establishments during their travels. “We love to just get out in that little camper of ours and drive through restaurants,” she remarked.

Throughout their marriage, Dean was a constant support for Parton, whose stardom took her into the public eye. In their private lives, they maintained a fiercely guarded relationship, one so low-key that rumors occasionally swirled about Dean's very existence, a reflection of their commitment to privacy.

Survived by Parton and his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, Carl Dean's legacy is one of love and unwavering support for his wife throughout her illustrious career. As the music world remembers him, tributes have poured in from fellow artists and fans, reflecting the profound impact Dean had not only on Parton but on all who knew him.

In keeping with Parton and Dean's desire for privacy, a small private ceremony will take place, paying tribute to a life spent together in mutual admiration and affection. Dolly Parton announced that a detailed obituary would follow.

For more about Carl Dean's life and impact, visit Huffpost, LA Times, and NPR.