Coy 'Denver' Parton, a brother of country music icon Dolly Parton, died on July 23 at the age of 82. His death marks another loss for the singer, who lost her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
Coy Parton was one of 12 children born to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens Parton in Sevier County, Tennessee. He worked as a crane operator, a farmer, and a hunter. An obituary noted that he was known as the most private of the Parton siblings and largely stayed out of the public spotlight. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Parton, and several siblings, including his brother David and infant brother Larry. He is survived by two daughters, a grandson, a brother, and seven sisters.
Services for Coy Parton will be private. Representatives for Dolly Parton have not yet commented on his passing.
The Parton family has experienced multiple losses in recent years. In November 2024, Dolly Parton's older brother David Parton also passed away at the age of 82. Coy's death follows closely on the heels of the passing of Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, who died at 82 in March 2025, just weeks before what would have been their 59th wedding anniversary. Dean, who was married to Parton for nearly 60 years, was a more reclusive figure who avoided public appearances.
Dolly Parton reflected on her marriage to Dean, describing their nearly 60 years together as "many wonderful years" and thanking fans for their prayers and sympathy. She previously shared that their differing personalities contributed to their long-lasting relationship, with Dean preferring to stay out of the spotlight.
In interviews, Parton has spoken about her decision not to have children, citing her career and extensive travel. She also expressed a sentiment that she felt her life was intended for her to be a caretaker for other people's children, stating in 2014, "I often think, it just wasn't meant for me to have kids so everybody's kids can be mine."