Toby Keith’s son has opened up for the first time since the family announced his passing on February 5th.
In the early hours of February 6th, Toby Keith’s family shared the devastating news of the beloved singer’s demise from stomach cancer, a battle he had been courageously fighting since 2021. The family expressed the heartbreak on social media, stating:
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Toby Keith received a diagnosis of stomach cancer in the fall of 2021, choosing to confront the illness privately before publicly revealing the news in 2022. He informed his fans about taking a hiatus from performing to concentrate on his treatment and spend quality time with his family.
In September, Toby made a poignant televised appearance at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, looking visibly frail but deeply moving viewers with his rendition of “Don’t Let The Old Man In.” This song later became the emotional anthem of Toby’s fight against the disease.
>>READ ALSO: Toby Keith Returned To The Stage For His First Televised Performance Since His Cancer Diagnosis
Despite ongoing cancer treatment, Toby reported feeling well and made a triumphant return to the stage with three sold-out shows in Las Vegas from December 12-14, 2023. Little did fans know, these performances marked the final chapter of Toby Keith’s live performances.
Breaking their silence since his passing, Toby Keith’s family, particularly his son Stelen, shared a heartfelt statement on social media. Stelen remembered his father as his “guiding star, coach, and hero.”
In the eloquent tribute, Stelen celebrated Toby’s love as a father and husband, acknowledging his profound passion and impact on the world.
“You held a passion that was greater than mountains and it radiates through every lyric and chord. In the everlasting echo from the legacy of your music, you leave me strength and faith to lean on in the silence that follows,”
Stelen wrote
“The only thing I truly ever wanted in life was to make you proud. I promise I will continue to make you proud,” he concluded. “It’s not goodbye forever; it’s just goodbye for now. I love you cowboy.”
Read Stelen Covel’s complete tribute to his father below.
