Dolly Parton's older brother Coy "Denver" Parton died on July 23. He was 82.
The Tennessee native had been a crane operator, homestead farmer and ardent hunter, according to an online obituary.
Denver Parton and his famous sister were two of 12 children born to Avie Lee Owens Parton and Robert Lee Parton in Sevier County, Tennessee. A 2025 Taste of Country article referred to Denver Parton as "perhaps the most private" in the close-knit family.
According to his obituary, he is survived by two daughters, Chris Parton and Jennifer Parton; a grandson, Ian Parton; a brother, Bobby Parton; and seven sisters: Willadeene Buzzeo, Dolly Parton, Stella Parton, Cassie Griffith, Freida Parton, Rachel George and Laura Price.
He was preceded in death by his wife,
Carolyn Parton, his parents and four brothers, including singer Randy Parton.
Services will be private, according to the obituary. USA TODAY has reached out to Dolly Parton's rep for comment.
Following the 2021 death of Randy Parton, Dolly shared a statement, noting the Partons are a "family of faith" and that they "believe that he is safe with God" and other late family members, who "have welcomed him with joy and open arms."
The death of Parton's older brother Denver comes after the country superstar's own health issues.
In May, the 80-year-old singer canceled a series of Las Vegas concerts and revealed that she had been suffering from multiple medical issues in recent years, including kidney stones. The announcement came seven months after she had postponed the shows, leading her sister, Freida Parton, to draw concern after asking for prayers for the singer.
"My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past three years. And [doctors] are working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those," Parton said. "Just think of me as like an old classic car, that once restored can be better than ever."
Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton's older brother Coy 'Denver' Parton dies at 82
