Jimmy Dean, a famed country music singer who rose to stardom thanks to his hit 'Big Bad John,' and an entrepreneur known for his world renowned sausage brand died on Sunday. He was 81 years-old.
According to his wife, Donna Maude Dean, Jimmy did have some health problems, but that he had been living well as of recent. As a result, his death was still a shock to her and the rest of his family. She said that he had been eating in front of the television when she stepped out of the room for a few moments. When she returned he was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at 7:53 PM.
Jimmy Dean was raised in Plainview, Texas where he worked his way out of poverty to enjoy a life of riches and fame. In the 1950s and 60s he enjoyed a largely successful music career before venturing into the sausage business in 1969. Not bad for a boy who dropped out of high school after the ninth grade.
