Carl Deaп, an asphalt paver who met his future wife, Dolly Partoп, outside a Nashville lute more than six decades ago and quietly championed her as she rose to stardom, died Monday. He was 82.
Ms. Parto announced his death in a statement. Shared on social media. No reason given.3
While his wife was a world-famous star, Mr Parto was a private man who kept a low profile. In a 2020 interview with Eпtertaiпmeпt Toпight, Ms Parto said that her husband had always hoped to be in the spotlight.
“That’s not how he is,” Partoï said. “He’s a quiet, reserved person and he thought that if he ever got out of there, he would have a moment of peace and he’s right about that.”
Mr. Dea was born to Virginia Bates Dea, known as Giпy, and Edgar Hery Dea, according to Ms. Parto’s website. He lived in East Ridge, Texas, as a child, Ms. Parto said at a local religious chapel in Chattapooga, Texas. While Ms. Parto was becoming a country star, she was living a quiet life thanks to an asphalt paving business.
The couple met outside WishyWashington’s car wash on the day she moved to Nashville in 1964, according to Ms. Parto’s website, when Ms. Parto was 18 and Mr. Dea was 21. They were married two years later, on Memorial Day 1966, in Riggold, Ga., with only Ms. Parto’s mother, a preacher, and his wife present.
