Dolly Parton is mourning another heartbreaking family loss after her older brother, Coy “Denver” Parton, died at the age of 82.
Denver died Thursday, July 23, in Sevierville, Tennessee, according to an obituary published by Atchley Funeral Home. A cause of death was not disclosed.
His death comes a little more than a year after Dolly lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.
Denver largely avoided the spotlight despite belonging to one of country music’s most famous families.
According to his obituary, he spent years working as a crane operator and helping build bridges. He was also a homestead farmer and an enthusiastic hunter.
Dolly, 80, was one of 12 children born to Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton Sr. in rural Tennessee.
Denver is the fifth of Dolly’s siblings to die. He was preceded in death by brothers Larry, Floyd, Randy and David.
The latest loss adds to an already difficult period for the legendary “Jolene” singer.
Dolly’s husband, Carl, died in March 2025 after spending most of their marriage outside the public eye. The couple married in 1966 and remained together for nearly six decades.
Following his death, Dolly acknowledged that she had spent years focusing on her husband and had not always prioritized her own well-being.
She later postponed and ultimately canceled a planned Las Vegas residency while undergoing treatment for ongoing health issues.
In a May 2026 update, Dolly told fans she was responding well to medication and treatment and improving each day. However, she said she was not yet physically ready to return to full stage performances because some treatments left her feeling dizzy or “swim-headed.”
Dolly had previously disclosed that she was being treated for a kidney stone and an infection, which forced her to cancel several appearances and avoid traveling under doctors’ orders.
She also missed her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in January.
Despite those health setbacks, Dolly has continued working behind the scenes on several projects and recently made a public appearance at the opening of a new Tennessee truck stop.
Her brother’s death now brings another painful goodbye for the singer and her surviving family members.