The country music world felt a significant loss with the passing of Toby Keith.
Toby Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021 and shared the news publicly a few months later. He told his fans that he would be stepping back from performing to concentrate on his treatments and spend more time with his family.
Toby Keith’s family announced the heartbreaking news that he had passed away on February 5, 2024. His death not only affected fans, friends, and fellow musicians but also significantly impacted his wife and three children as they coped with their personal grief.
During an interview with AARP on Tuesday, August 27, Toby’s youngest daughter, Krystal, opened up about how he coped with his diagnosis.
“He had a strong faith and relationship with Jesus,” Krystal shared. “He got to a point of, ‘Whatever happens, I know where I’m going, and I’m at peace with that.'”
Krystal also revealed that her mom and Toby’s wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia, played a big part in why he fought so hard for so long.
“I think he fought longer than he would have on his own, because he wanted to do everything my mom asked him to, so she could feel she did all she could to help him. He really was the portrait of strength and courage. We weren’t surprised by the way he carried himself through his cancer journey,” she said.
Although to most Toby Keith was a legendary star, to Krystal, and her two siblings, Stelen and Shelley, he was just Dad.
“We never felt like we were missing anything,” Krystal shared. “Back when the only way to reach us was a pay phone, he called every night on tour and read us Bible stories. As we got a little older and he had a tour bus and enough money, he brought us on the road as long as it didn’t interfere with school or sports.”
When asked what she missed most about Toby, Krystal didn’t miss a beat.
“Probably his humor. He was the life of the party.”
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On Wednesday, August 28, friends and family of Toby Keith honored his life during the American Icon tribute concert.
Many country artists stepped up to perform at the show, including Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ashley McBryde, and many more. Krystal Keith even took the stage to honor her dad by performing “Don’t Let The Old Man In.”
You can watch Krystal’s performance in the video below.