News & Stories Remembering Carl Dean, partner to Dolly Parton for more than 60 years Patrick Jarenwattananon Gabriel Sanchez Matthew Cloutier March 04, 2025 / 1:54 pm Play AudioPlaying3 mins left Carl Thomas Dean, who was with Dolly Parton for over 60 years, has died at age 82. A bank teller who had an evident crush on Dean inspired Parton's hit song "Jolene." Why you can trust KUOW