By Ruth Gbaka
Carl Thomas Dean, the beloved husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The couple had been married for nearly 60 years, having wed on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia.
Dean was known for his private nature, choosing to remain out of the public eye despite his wife’s fame.
He owned an asphalt-paving company in Nashville and inspired some of Parton’s music, including the famed song “Jolene.”
The couple met in 1964 at a laundromat in Nashville when Parton was 18, leading to a lifelong partnership characterized by mutual respect and love.
In a statement, Parton expressed her deep love and gratitude for their years together, saying, “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”
Dean will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
