Coy 'Denver' Parton, the older brother of country music star Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 82. He passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026, just over a year after Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, died.
Unlike his famous sister, Denver Parton lived a private life working as a crane operator who built bridges, as well as a homestead farmer and 'avid hunter', according to his obituary from the Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Sibling loss
Denver Parton and Dolly were two of 12 children born to Avie Lee Owens Parton and Robert Lee Parton. He is the fifth of Dolly's siblings to die, following her brothers Larry, David, singer Randy Parton and Floyd.
The obituary did not share a cause of death but stated that he was a widower, following the earlier death of his wife, Carolyn Parton. He is survived by his two daughters, Chris Parton and Jennifer Parton, as well as his grandson, Ian Parton, and seven sisters: Willadeene Buzzeo, Dolly, Stella Parton, Cassie Griffith, Freida Parton, Rachel George and Laura Price.
Private life
Denver Parton was described as 'perhaps the most private' of the close-knit family in a 2025 Taste of Country article. Metro has contacted Dolly Parton's rep for comment.
