Singer, sausage businessman Jimmy Dean dies at 81

[Ban Hammer 14,297]

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 on Sunday. He was 81.

His wife, Donna Meade Dean, said her husband died at their Henrico County, Va., home.

She told The Associated Press that he had some health problems but was still functioning well, so his death came as a shock. She said he was eating in front of the television. She left the room for a time and came back and he was unresponsive. She said he was pronounced dead at 7:54 p.m.

"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 in semiretirement with his wife, who is a songwriter and recording artist, on their 200-acre estate just outside Richmond, where he enjoyed investing, boating and watching the sun set over the James River.

In 2009 a fire gutted their home, but his Grammy for "Big Bad John," a puppet made by Muppets creator Jim Henson, a clock that had belonged to Prince Charles and Princess Diana and other valuables were saved. Lost were a collection of celebrity-autographed books, posters of Dean with Elvis Presley and other prized possessions.

Donna Meade Dean said the couple had just moved back into their reconstructed home.

With his drawled wisecracks and quick wit, Dean charmed many fans. But in both entertainment and business circles, he was also known for his tough hide. He fired bandmate Roy Clark, who went onto "Hee Haw" fame, for showing up late for gigs.

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[ScottThuy 140]

I knew him well, met him 20 years ago and have not talked to him for years.. a standup guy!

[TBoneTX 47,547]

I remember his TV commercials. He looked & sounded so genuinely delighted when he said "Jimmy Dean's pure pork sausage!" that I couldn't imagine that he was faking his delight. It conveyed a belief in his own product. He was quite a recording artist, too.

[Nagishkaw 510]

(F)

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Mr. Dean, RIP. (F)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79pAw8ubhh4

[alienlovechild 75]

Having watched other stars fritter away their fortunes, Dean said he learned to be careful with his money.

"I've seen so many people in this business that made a fortune," he told the AP. "They get old and broke and can't make any money. ... I tell you something, ... no one's going to play a benefit for Jimmy Dean."

Not bad for an undereducated poor kid who learned to invest his money instead of pissing it away.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Singer? News to me.

[ScottThuy 140]

Not bad for an undereducated poor kid who learned to invest his money instead of pissing it away.

He enjoyed spending time on his yacht.. he did spend a bunch of money on that and the people that operatred it for him... but he didnt piss money away.. he spent money wisely on what made him and the family happy... he really enjoyed life...

[SuperDuper! 230]

RIP, JD. Living to a ripe ol' age of 81 by making a life outta sausage.

Who doesn't like a big hot sausage every now and then. I will have a big fat one at the county fair tmrw just to honor him.

Oh, and to those who never think they heard Jimmy Dean sing? Yes, you did, you just forgot that you didn't know, hehe.