The Parton family is dealing with a difficult loss this July, with Dolly Parton's older brother, Coy "Denver" Parton, passing away earlier in the month.
While none of the Parton family have spoken out as of writing, an obituary shared by the Atchley Funeral Home confirms that Denver passed away at the age of 82 on July 23, 2026.
© Getty ImagesDolly Parton's family loss
The obituary notes that Denver, who was based in Sevierville, Tennessee, was a crane operator for several years, who primarily contributed to the building of bridges. He was also a "homestead farmer and an avid hunter."
It mentions that his wife Caroyln had passed away before him, as did some of his other siblings, plus Dolly's own husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025, also at the age of 82. Learn more about their relationship below...
"Denver is survived by his daughters, Chris Parton and Jennifer Parton; grandson, Ian Parton and fiancée Taylor York; brother, Bobby Parton; sisters, Willadeene Buzzeo, Dolly Parton, Stella Parton; Cassie Griffith (Greg), Freida Parton, Rachel George (Eric), Laura Price (David); sister-in-law, Kay Parton," the obituary notes.
It also adds that he's survived by "a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins; special nephew, Mitchell Blalock; special friends, Nancy Hurst and Kathy Farr."
Several fans of Dolly's and her family, plus friends and other loved ones, paid tribute using the website's tribute wall. It also noted that services and funeral arrangements for Denver will be done privately.
Meet Dolly Parton's 11 siblings
Dolly, 80, is the fourth of 12 total siblings. She was born to Robert and Avie Lee Parton in 1946, and the large family grew up in a small two-bedroom cabin in Locust Ridge, nestled against the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. However, they were very close, and music was the lifeblood of their family dynamic.
86-year-old Willadeene Parton Buzzeo is the oldest of the bunch, who briefly ventured into music before finding more fame as an author, writing memoirs and releasing a cookbook.
In 2024, Dolly's brother David, who lived his life out of the spotlight, passed away, also at the age of 82. 77-year-old Stella is a prolific musician just like her older sister, and even appeared in some of her TV specials like 2015's Coat of Many Colors.
© Getty Images75-year-old Cassie, unlike most of her other sisters, keeps out of the public eye, although did also join a gospel trio with her siblings when she was younger. Randy was also a musician, who tragically passed away at the age of 67 in 2021 after a long battle with cancer.
In July 1955, brother Larry Parton tragically died as an infant, just four days after his birth, with Coat of Many Colors presenting an account of how the family dealt with the devastation. Brother Floyd, also a musician, died in 2018 at the age of 61.
© InstagramYoungest sisters Freida, 68, and Rachel, 65, remain closest with their sister Dolly, with the former becoming an ordained minister, and the latter working on several cookbooks with the 9 To 5 star. Brother Robert Lee Parton Jr., born in 1948, is the only one of whom very little is known.
