Businessman Carl Dean, who was married to country music icon Dolly Parton for a long time, has died.

Reports state that yesterday, March 3, Dean, 82, died in his birthplace of Nashville, Tennessee. In an emotional statement, 79-year-old Parton described how “words can’t do justice to the love” the couple shared.

The couple, who have been married for over 60 years, first exchanged vows in May 1966 and then reaffirmed them nine years ago.

She added: “He loves music, but he’s not the least bit interested in being in it. And he told me that right up front.”

According to legend, Dean and Parton first fell in love in 1964 outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. Dean was 21 and Parton was 18. She revealed to The New York Times in 1976 that when Dean saw Parton outdoors and“hollered” at her, sparks flew as he passed by in his pickup truck.

While running a road-paving company, Parton’s husband provided her with backstage support during her ascent to fame.