Jimmy Dean, Country Music Singer and Sausage King Dead at 81

RICHMOND, VA - Jimmy Dean, 81, died over the weekend at his Henrico County, Va., home according to reports. He was pronounced dead at 7:54 p.m. A high school dropout, Dean was a man of many talents.

One of his big country music hits was Big Bad John. He has a very successful television and entertainment career in the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1969, He started his own company - Jimmy Dean Meat Co - that sold the Jimmy Dean sausage brand. He sold the business in 1984 to Sara Lee Coproration.

Earlier this year, Dean was entered into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was supposed to be officially inducted this October.

Dean is survived by his wife, Donna Meade Dean,  three children and two grandchildren. The funeral service is expected to be private.