Jimmy Dean died on June 13, 2010 at the age of 81. Dean, a country music legend known for his big hit, Big Bad John, was also the founder of the Jimmy Dean Sausage Company.
Dean was also was known for his role in the James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever.
Jimmy Dean died Sunday in his Henrico County, Va. home. His wife, Donna Meade Dean, found him dead in their home and he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:54pm.
Dean's wife told The Associate Press that her husband was eating in front of the television on Sunday night. She left the room for a time and came back and he was unresponsive.
Twitter was buzzing immediately after the news of Dean's death:
sockmonkeywitch: RT @michaelgoose: Jimmy Dean Died?! Oh man i will be eating a sausage in his honor
jeseabilas: What. Jimmy Dean is trending? I'm craving one now – bacon, egg, and cheese? ;D
jmarsuperstar: Rest In Peace Jimmy Dean. I remember your cameo in the James Bond film, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. And you made tasty sausages too. Rest easy.
aarondickens: R.I.P. Jimmy Dean, one of West Texas' own.
Dean became best known for his 1961 recitation song about a heroic miner, Big Bad John. Recorded in Nashville, the record went to number one on the Billboard pop charts and inspired many imitations and parodies
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx59fmP7 ... r_embedded#![/video]
In 1969, Jimmy Dean started his sausage business, the Jimmy Dean Meat Co. He sold the company to Sara Lee Corporation in 1984.
Dean is survived by his wife, Donna, and three children, Garry, Connie and Robert.
