A Quiet Farewell: Carl Dean, Husband of Dolly Parton, Passes at 82

Nashville mourns the passing of Carl Dean, the steadfast husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, who died Monday at the age of 82. Dean, known for his preference for privacy, was the inspiration behind Parton's classic hit, "Jolene."  

Dean's life was lived largely outside the glare of his wife's fame. A businessman with an asphalt-paving company, he preferred the quiet of a private life. Parton, in a statement released through her publicist, conveyed the depth of their enduring love. "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," she wrote.  

The couple's story began in Nashville, where they met at a laundromat on the day Parton moved to the city. Their marriage, a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, on May 30, 1966, cemented a bond that would last nearly six decades.  

Dean's influence on Parton's music was significant. She revealed that the song "Jolene" stemmed from a real-life encounter with a bank teller who had a "terrible crush" on her husband. Dean's love for rock and roll also played a role in Parton's recent "Rockstar" album. "He’s a big rock and roller," she shared, noting his fondness for songs like "My Blue Tears."  

A private funeral with immediate family will honor Dean's memory. The family has requested privacy during this time of mourning.