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Toby Keith’s Kids Pay Tribute to Late Singer 1 Year After His Death: ‘He Will Watch Over Us’
Toby Keith’s family remembered the late country singer in tributes one year after his death from stomach cancer at age 62.
Toby’s daughter Krystal Keith shared a post dedicated to her late father on Instagram on Wednesday, February 5.
“It feels like yesterday we said goodbye and yet it somehow has also been the longest year without him,” she wrote alongside several photos of her father with their family. “I can’t help but find gratitude in all the time we had because we did all of life as a family unit.”
“It’s hard to find a candid picture where he doesn’t have one of our babies in his arms,” the caption continued. “He was their favorite, and they were his. Our littles miss their buddy big time but we all know we will see him again someday. Until then, he will watch over us and walk beside us. Every sunset (and he LOOOOVED his sunsets) is a reminder that he wants us to live our best life and do good in the world. So that’s exactly is what we will do.”
His son, Stelen Keith Covel also posted a tribute to Toby, sharing a video of Toby playing the guitar and singing the song “”If I Was Jesus.”
“A whole year without my hero. Here’s to one day having more of these nights. Love you dad,” Stelen wrote.
Toby’s official Instagram account paid tribute to the “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer, sharing a photo of him holding a red solo cup while performing on stage.
“We can’t believe it’s been a year since the world lost Toby. We have a hole in our heart and our lives,” the caption of the post said. “The love and support from the community that Toby created has left us all thankful and grateful. It has and continues to honor Toby. We know he would be proud of the legacy he left behind. Today we hope you will celebrate and listen to his music with us, where we know he is smiling down and raising his cup. A toast to a life well lived.”
In addition to Krystal, 39, and Stelen, 27, Toby adopted wife Tricia Lucus’ daughter Shelley Covel Rowland from a previous relationship.
Toby first publicly shared his cancer diagnosis in June 2022, after six months of “chemo, radiation and surgery.” He attended the People’s Choice Country Awards to accept the Country Icon Award in September 2023, where he shared an update on his health.
“I feel pretty good,” he told E! News at the time. “It’s a little bit of a roller-coaster. You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and gown. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”
After Toby’s February 2024 death, Krystal opened up about how Toby coped with his cancer diagnosis.
“He had a strong faith and relationship with Jesus. He got to a point of, ‘Whatever happens, I know where I’m going, and I’m at peace with that,’” she told AARP in an August 2024 interview. “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.”
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