Merle Haggard’s Son Pays Tribute to His Late Father

Haggard passed away on his birthday, April 6, in 2016.

Written by Kelly Brickey
Merle Haggard’s Son Pays Tribute to His Late Father
Merle Haggard; Artist Publicity Image

Two years ago, the country music world lost a legend when Merle Haggard passed away on his 79th birthday, April 6.

Ever since that fateful day, countless artists continued to respect and honor the career and legacy of Merle Haggard by covering his songs in musical tribute pieces or using his instrumental influence in their own recordings. On the same page, his family also keeps his memory alive by never forgetting the photographs taken of those special moments decades before his death.

In memory of Merle, his son, Ben, went to social media to post his grieving with an adorable picture of the two hanging out together. Clad in a classic Merle look with an unbuttoned shirt and a ball cap reading ‘Jesus’ on it, Ben said it all in just a few simple words when he admired his late father in an online post.

“We’re still thinkin about you,” Ben Haggard wrote next to the throwback photo of him with Merle.

The father and son always shared a special connection, to the point where Ben let Merle’s fans know that the singer somewhat predicted the day of his death and guessed his 79th birthday would be the last moments of his life.

“A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong,” Ben shared. “A hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends. He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn’t just a country singer…He was the best country singer that ever lived,” Ben wrote right after Merle passed.

Merle Haggard would’ve turned 79 when he died.