Dees died Oct. 24 in Mountain Home, according to Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. A memorial celebration is planned for Saturday at the funeral home, followed by a gathering in Branson, Mo., on Nov. 11.

Born in Electra, Texas, Dees traveled to Nashville, Tenn., as a young man to seek a future in the music business, and he eventually hooked up with Orbison. The two wrote songs and toured in the U.S. and abroad for years.

Dees lived in Mountain Home and in south Missouri since 1989. His obituary at the funeral home noted Dees enjoyed fishing but most loved singing and playing piano and guitar.