Things We Learned About Carl Dean Only After His Death

Carl Dean's name is well-known to Dolly Parton's fans, but he famously led a private life. However, in the time since both of them died, we have learned a few additional details other than the tidbits Parton shared over the years — and while some are downright heartbreaking, all of them had us tearing up, realizing just how great Parton and Dean's love story was. 

While an official cause of death for Dean was never shared, a friend of Parton's said after Parton's death that he had begun losing his memory towards the end of his life. "Carl had, like, forgetfulness, whether it was dementia or Alzheimer's, before he passed away," Margo O'Donnell revealed in an interview with RTÉ Radio 1. O'Donnell added that during one phone call, Parton had told her, "He always knew me. When I walked in and he sat on this chair by the window in the house, and I would say to him, you know, 'Do you know who I am today?' And he would look up at me and he would say, 'Yeah, you're my Dolly.'" Heartbreakingly, though, O'Donnell shared that shortly before his death, he didn't recognize his wife. "That broke her," O'Donnell shared. 

Parton never shared that with the world, though it is worth noting that she made a point of ensuring he'd always be remembered before she passed away. Speaking to People about including him in the Broadway show about her life, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," Parton shared, "I'm just happy that he can be here forever."

Not long after Dolly Parton's death, the singer's niece Rebecca Seaver told Vogue about Carl Dean's military trunk, which was packed with touching mementos and which also offered us more insight into just who Dean was. One of the items found was a photo booth strip, which finally gave fans a glimpse into his private personality. Seaver explained, "Dolly had not even seen it since it was taken, so she was absolutely floored when we found it." Seaver also pointed out that one of the things that made it so special was because of how rare it was to see pictures of Dean, let alone ones where he was so animated. "I think to see this really goofy side of him, and how happy she looks — her smile as never been brighter than it is in this photo — is so sweet," she gushed. 

The photo in itself was adorable, but there were other, even sweeter keepsakes in Dean's trunk, like Parton's wedding dress, veil, and Bible. It is a blessing that Parton was still alive when the trunk was found; Seaver told Vogue that she'd immediately said she wanted it to be included in the Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum. "We created a beautiful case that looks just like the Ringgold Chapel where they got married. Theirs is one of the great American love stories, so it's absolute honor to be able to share it with everybody," Seaver said. 

We never got to know Dean while he was still alive, which we're sure he appreciated. However, every time we do learn something new about him, we'll admit we fall for him a little, too. Parton found a good one, that's for sure, and this is one love story we'll never tire of.