In his later years, Dean lived on a sprawling farm with his beloved spouse after retiring from his paving firm. The country singer said her husband was happy staying out of the public eye and tending to their land. He kept the fields mowed, the barn painted, and worked on his farm equipment.
Parton was happiest spending time with Dean at home, where they enjoyed “little things together,” like taking short trips in their RV. They would drive past fast-food restaurants, sightsee in Tennessee and Kentucky, and stay overnight at motels with clean beds and bathrooms. “That’s how we lived,” she revealed in a 2023 interview.
The celebrity acknowledged that they were getting older, and she wouldn’t have felt right leaving for weeks at a time if something happened at home and she was needed. She also didn’t want to disappoint fans by canceling a tour due to an emergency.
Sadly, after 58 years of marriage, the award-winning singer faced an unimaginable loss. Dean passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82 in Nashville.
In a statement, his now-widowed wife reflected on their decades together, “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.”
Parton and Dean’s love story was built on devotion, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to one another, proving that true love can thrive outside the spotlight.
The country star once said she would “never marry again” if her husband died first because she loved him that much.
Though he is gone, the memories they shared and the life they built together will forever remain a part of her heart.
Source: ondoho.com