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Dolly Parton<\/a> is sending love and comfort to Kelly Clarkson<\/a> after the heartbreaking death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Tuesday (Aug. 12), the country legend spoke with deep compassion for her friend, sharing lessons she\u2019s learned through her own recent loss.<\/p>\n Parton\u2019s husband, Carl Dean, died earlier this year after more than 60 years of marriage<\/a>, giving her a unique perspective to share with Clarkson.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you just have to be grateful for the years that you\u2019ve had with someone and you just try to remember the very best of all that,\u201d the country icon told Entertainment Tonight<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTake their energy that they have given you \u2026 and kinda just recycle that and let that become a part of you,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Brandon Blackstock Obituary Answers Pressing Questions<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking from a deeply personal place of grief, the \u201c9 to 5\u201d singer encouraged Clarkson to hold on to the good memories of Blackstock, whom\u00a0the\u00a0American Idol\u00a0<\/em><\/a>winner<\/span>\u00a0was married to for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n \u201cJust honor their memory and just know they\u2019re in a better place than we are these days,\u201d Parton said.<\/p>\n The best-selling author added that she hasn\u2019t yet reached out to Clarkson personally, but plans to \u201ccatch up with her\u201d once she finishes promoting her new book, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage<\/em>.<\/p>\n Brandon Blackstock died on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, after a three-year battle with skin cancer (melanoma)<\/a>. He was 48 years old.<\/p>\n The Silver Bow County (Montana) coroner confirmed that Blackstock died of natural causes at home in Butte, Montana, surrounded by his family.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Brandon Blackstock\u2019s Oldest Son Offers Heart-Wrenching Tribute: \u2018I Lost My Hero\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Blackstock was the father of Clarkson\u2019s two children \u2014 River and Remington \u2014 as well as two adult children from a previous marriage.<\/p>\n He and the “Keeping Score” singer got married in 2013 and divorced in 2022.<\/p>\n News of Clarkson\u2019s ex-husband\u2019s death has drawn tributes<\/a> from fans and friends across the music community.<\/p>\n His management company, Starstruck Entertainment, shared the news with a request for privacy as the family grieves.<\/p>\n Reba McEntire<\/a> also paid tribute to Blackstock, her former stepson, in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cLast week, my stepson\/oldest son, Brandon Blackstock, went home to be with God. His struggle is over, and he is in eternal peace in God\u2019s presence,\u201d the country superstar wrote alongside a carousel of photos of the pair.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Here\u2019s What Reba McEntire Said About Brandon Blackstock Before He Died<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere is no one else like him, and I\u2019m thankful for the time we had together. His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family,” McEntire added<\/a>. “Rest in peace, cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n It’s a sorority you never want to be a part of. Learn the stories of country women whose husbands died too soon. Also included are singers who lost a very longterm boyfriend, ex-husband and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDolly Speaking From the Heart<\/h3>\n
How Did Brandon Blackstock Die?<\/h3>\n
Reba Remembers Brandon Blackstock<\/h3>\n
Country Women Whose Husbands Died Too Soon<\/h2>\n