The late Oliver Vanetta "Mooney" Lynn Jr believed in and supported his wife's career. For 48 years, the former talent manager was married to famous country singer Loretta Lynn.
Oliver Vanetta "Mooney" Lynn Jr. Oliver was a Kentucky native born to Oliver Vanetta Lynn and Angie Webb Lynn. He drew his first breath in Butcher Hollow, Johnson County, on August 27, 1926, and had many siblings.
Loretta Lynn's husband, whom she affectionately referred to as "Doo" or "Mooney," is recognized as a crucial role player in the success of her career, even though he stayed behind on some of her tours.
Loretta Lynn attends Academy Awards with her husband, Oliver Lynn, after "Coal Miner's Daughter," based on her own life, was nominated for Best Film in the 1980s. | Source Getty Images
Oliver treasured his wife's voice and had unmoving faith in her potential as a star. The former talent manager also appeared in his wife's 1980 autobiography "Coal Miners Daughter," portrayed by famed actor Tommy Lee Jones.
Oliver and Loretta shared a long and eventful life. His wife may have been the face of their family. However, Oliver has some known history available to public knowledge, including his work before becoming a talent manager.
Oliver Lynn's Career
Before helping his wife climb to stardom, Johnson County native, Oliver Lynn, worked as a coal miner and a moonshine runner, which inspired his nickname "Mooney." However, that's not his only nickname. Lynn was affectionately referred to as "Doo" or "Dolittle" from infancy.
Loretta Lynn(L), Oliver Lynn (C), and Crystal Gayle (R) at a soiree in circa 1976 | Source: Getty Images
Yet the origins of "Doo" or "Dolittle" eluded even his wife, who revealed the nicknames in her first autobiography. The former moonshine runner also served in the Army during World War II. His career then turned to the entertainment industry once he saw potential in his wife's talent.
On her 18th birthday, Oliver gifted Loretta with her first guitar. Over the following years, she learned how to play until he encouraged her to perform publicly in 1960. In her autobiography, Loretta recalls the events of that day when Oliver decided to approach a bandleader to ask him if she could sing. He said:
"Hey, I got a girl here tonight who's the best country singer there is, next to Kitty Wells, and I ain't kidding."
Loretta Lynn attends Academy Awards with her husband, Oliver Lynn, after "Coal Miner's Daughter," based on her own life, was nominated for Best Film. | Source Getty Images
While the bandleader initially declined, Lorretta got her time to shine the following week. The then 25-year-old reluctantly ascended the stage at a meeting hall near Washington state and sang. A few months later, she released "I'm A Honky-Tonk Girl," and it was a hit.
From then onwards, her career burgeoned, and the country singer rose to stardom. Lynn was his wife's manager for several years and sometimes accompanied her on tours. In 1967, the couple purchased a ranch. They named it the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch, which the former moonshine runner ran.
It spanned over 1140 acres and was located 70 miles west of Nashville. Some of Lynn's most notable characteristics were his frequent donning of a cowboy hat, comically embroidered with the words "Like hell it's yours."
Loretta Lynn and her late husband Oliver Lynn, Jr. pose at the Country & Western Music Awards on February 27, 1975, in Hollywood. | Source: Getty Images
He was so excited about the autobiographic film during its world premiere that he often alerted the audience whenever a "good part" was about to begin. His friend, Charlie Dick, remembered Lynn fondly, speaking of how the late talent manager took care of his wife.
Inside His Private Life
Oliver and Loretta Lynn met at a pie social when Loretta was just a teenager. Oliver was six years older than her, but the pair had chemistry. They tied the knot in 1948 when Loretta was 15 years old, and she had four of their children by the time their fifth wedding anniversary arrived.
While Loretta and Oliver did love each other, their marriage had several tumultuous moments. Loretta's husband struggled with alcohol abuse, and the pair often fought. Moreover, Oliver was involved in quite a few infidelities, with one even including a family member of Loretta's.
Loretta used music to release her frustrations in her marriage, which often portrayed Oliver negatively. However, she claimed he didn't mind because the songs brought in loads of money.
Still, Oliver could be untrustworthy as he wasn't present during her pregnancy and the birth of one of his children. Loretta recalled:
"It was real lonely. I felt sometimes it was better to be on the bus than to be home… because he was drinking so much."
Despite his unfavorable behaviors, Loretta respected Oliver and never forgot to credit him for her career, saying that without her late husband, she never would have entered the music scene. For the singer, his presence was a source of inspiration for some of her best songs.
Loretta felt she wouldn't have all that she has if Oliver, who told her he raised her the way he needed her to be, hadn't pushed her just to start. Despite describing him as a "womanizer" in her book "Still Woman Enough," Loretta had an overall positive outlook on her marriage and husband.
According to People, she stated that Oliver was a good husband with whom she felt safe. The singer shared a tribute in honor of their anniversary earlier this year, noting the 74 years that had passed since she first met Oliver and saying that she missed him.
Oliver's Many Children
When he died, Oliver Lynn was survived by his wife and their six children, some of whom have also passed. Betty Sue was born on November 26, 1948, but sadly passed on in 2013 from emphysema. Her younger brother Jack Benny was born the following year, but he tragically passed before his dad in 1984.
Oliver and Loretta Lynn welcomed Clara Marie "Cissie" in 1952, Ernest Ray "Ernie" in 1954, and Peggy and Patsy in 1964. They have all followed in their mother's footsteps, inheriting her singing prowess and entering the music scene.
The Death of Oliver Lynn
Oliver Lynn was frequently admitted to the hospital three years before he died due to his diabetes and heart failure. Throughout the frequent hospitalization, his feet were amputated. He died just a few days shy of his 70th birthday on August 22, 1996, in his Hurricane Mills, Humpreys County home in Tenessee.
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