RICHMOND, Va. — Jimmy Dean, a country-music legend for his smash hit about a workingman hero, “Big Bad John,” and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, died Sunday. He was 81.
His wife, Donna Meade Dean, said he died at their Henrico County, Va., home.
She said he had health problems but was functioning well, so his death came as a shock.
“He was amazing,” she said. “He had a lot of talents.”
Born in 1928, Dean was raised in poverty in Plainview, Texas, and dropped out of high school after the ninth grade.
He went on to a successful entertainment career in the 1950s and ’60s that included the nationally televised “The Jimmy Dean Show.” In 1969, Dean went into the sausage business, starting the Jimmy Dean Meat Co. in his hometown. He sold the company to Sara Lee Corp. in 1984.
Dean lived with his wife, a songwriter and recording artist, on their 200-acre estate outside Richmond, where he enjoyed investing, boating and watching the sun set over the James River.
With his drawled wisecracks and quick wit, Dean charmed many fans. He was also known for his tough hide. He fired bandmate Roy Clark, who went on to “Hee Haw” fame, for showing up late for gigs.
By the early 1950s, Dean’s band had its first national hit in “Bummin’ Around.” “Big Bad John” became a big hit in 1961 and won a Grammy. He wrote the song in less than two hours.
He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and was to be inducted in October.
