Country music icon Dolly Parton is mourning another heartbreaking loss after her older brother, Coy “Denver” Parton, died at the age of 82. His passing marks another difficult chapter for the Parton family, coming just over a year after the death of Dolly’s husband, Carl Dean, who was also 82.
Coy “Denver” Parton passed away on July 23, 2026, in Sevierville, Tennessee. Funeral arrangements are expected to remain private, allowing the family to grieve away from the public spotlight.
Throughout his life, Denver built a career as a crane operator, contributing to bridge construction projects across the region. Outside of work, he was known for his passion for farming and hunting, embracing a quiet lifestyle rooted in his Tennessee community.
Denver was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, as well as several members of the Parton family. His surviving relatives include daughters Chris Parton and Jennifer Parton, grandson Ian Parton and his fiancée Taylor York, brother Bobby Parton, sisters Willadeene Buzzeo, Dolly Parton, Stella Parton, Cassie Griffith, Freida Parton, Rachel George, and Laura Price. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
The loss follows another painful period for Dolly Parton. In March 2025, her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, passed away at the age of 82. Although Dean stayed largely out of the public eye, he remained a constant source of support throughout Dolly’s remarkable career.
A Family Bound by Music and Tradition
Born in 1946, Dolly Parton is the fourth of 12 children born to Robert and Avie Lee Parton. The family was raised in a modest two-bedroom cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, where music became an essential part of everyday life and helped shape the careers of several siblings.
The Parton family has experienced multiple personal losses over the years. Brother David Parton died in 2024 at age 82, while Randy Parton passed away in 2021 following a battle with cancer. Floyd Parton died in 2018, and infant brother Larry Parton tragically died just days after his birth in 1955.
Several of Dolly’s siblings have pursued careers in music, including Stella Parton, while others have chosen more private lives. Willadeene Parton became a successful author, Freida Parton later became an ordained minister, and Rachel George collaborated with Dolly on cookbook projects.
Despite enduring repeated family tragedies, the Parton family has remained closely connected through generations, with strong ties built on faith, music, and shared traditions. Denver Parton’s passing represents another significant loss for one of country music’s most well-known families.
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Source: Owink
