Oklahoma native and country music superstar Toby Keith died Monday night, more than a year and a half after he announced that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.| MORE | Oklahoman and country music star Toby Keith dies at 62Keith's official Facebook page announced the passing early Tuesday morning, saying he died while surrounded by his family and that he "fought his fight with grace and courage."The news of his death caused an outpouring of tributes for Keith. Below is a look at some of the messages from local and national figures mourning the "Should've Been a Cowboy" star. Gov. Kevin Stitt"America lost a legend today. Toby Keith helped make Oklahoma the coolest place in the nation. His legacy will forever be in the hearts of Oklahomans and fans around the world— I know his spirit will live on. Sarah and I offer our condolences to Toby’s family."Sen. James Lankford"Toby Keith was a great Oklahoman and a great American who loved our troops and loved our country. He will be deeply missed."Sen. Markwayne Mullin"Oklahoma-native Toby Keith was a titan for country music. Born in Clinton, raised in Moore, and later playing semi-pro football for the Oklahoma City Drillers — Toby was Oklahoma Proud. He loved his family like he loved his country. May he rest in peace."Rep. Tom Cole"Toby Keith was a homegrown music legend whose love of America and Oklahoma was ever-present. He never failed to show up for our community or military. He'll be sorely missed, but his words will live on through every song played. Join me in lifting the Keith family in prayer."House Speaker Charles McCall"Today is a sad day for Oklahoma as we mourn the passing of one of our native sons, Toby Keith. His contributions to Oklahoma go far beyond his music, as he was well known for his philanthropy and giving back to the state he loved so dearly. He helped promote our state both nationally and internationally, and his love for our troops and our country is something we should all seek to emulate. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He will be missed."OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione"Can’t believe we lost our dear personal friend, Toby Keith. Filled with deep sadness but flooded with wonderful memories too. He was as authentic as they come & did more for people than anyone will ever know. Please (pray) for his entire family. Rest high on that mountain Big T."Garth BrooksToby Keith: Larger Than Life(From One Okie to Another)"In the entertainment world, things change from day to day. The business changes, the music changes, the ONLY thing constant is change. Except for Toby Keith..."Toby was the same every time you saw him. Loved him or hated him, he was constant.""To say I knew him well wouldn't be a accurate statement. I knew of Toby his entire career, but only got to know him a bit at the Tornado Relief Concert he did in Oklahoma over a decade ago. What he did for the victims and survivors brought a ray of hope in a dark, dark time.When someone I know passes away, I usually think of two things...my own mortality and what did I learn from this person? What I loved about Toby is what I hope I am able to do when it's my turn to wear those shoes. He was ALWAYS Toby...all the way up to his passing. Yes, he might have looked thinner than the larger than life cowboy we all saw on stage, but he was still that no filter, very loud, honest guy he was in the beginning. And artist to artist, he sounded the best I had ever heard him the last time he took the stage at the Ryman and in Vegas. A feat all of us artists wish to accomplish.”Reba McEntire"Toby and I are both from Oklahoma and very proud of our Oklahoma heritage. Toby worked very hard to make a mark in the country music business, and he did a great job doing that. Very proud of him, and I hope he rests in peace. I was very honored to get to work with Toby and be a part of the era of country music he was in. We'll sure miss him."Dolly Parton"It's always hard when we lose our brothers and sisters in country music. Toby Keith was one of the greats in every way. He will be missed but his music and legacy will live on."Blake SheltonEven though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day. Anyone who knew you knows what I mean. You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith.Carrie Underwood"Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!! Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir! We’re gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See you again someday, friend." Alan Jackson"Denise and I are saddened to hear about our friend Toby Keith. Our prayers are with Tricia and the entire Keith family."Jason AldeanJust waking up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing. Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man.Donald Trump Jr."Ugh. We lost a legend this week. R.I.P Toby Keith."OU Football Coach Brent Venables"WE are all Better, for knowing Toby…An Amazing Man who GAVE to so many. RIP brother. All love & (prayers) For His Family."Kristin Chenoweth"I loved him as a musician. A great Oklahoma. A great America. What a loss!"Kid RockToby Keith was a tried and true, red, white, and blue, AMERICAN BADASS! RIP TK, sure gonna miss ya Big Dog. Thanks for the music and all the great memories.Country Music Television"CMT is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of country legend Toby Keith. Our hearts go out to his wife, Tricia, his children, and loved ones during this difficult time."Luke Combs"Damn, RIP Toby. Can’t believe it."Zach Bryan"Too many rides in my old man's car listening to Toby Keith. really hard thing to hear. rest in peace friend we love you," Bryan tweeted alongside lyrics from some of Keith's greatest hits.The University of Oklahoma"Remembering Toby Keith. Forever a part of the #OUFamily."Golfer John Daly"My heart is truly broken… one of my best friends gone by this disease! RIP Big Dawg."Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson"Many posts being made today and many grieving the loss of our Oklahoma Legend. Toby, you fought the good fight, now go and rest. Say hello to Mayberry for us. Until we meet again my friend."Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City"We are saddened to hear the news of Tobey Keith’s passing."Moore High School Alumni Association"Such sad news this morning, Toby Keith has passed away peacefully at the age of 62. He was a member of the Moore High School Class of 1979. Please join us in praying for his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed."Top Headlines Oklahoman and country music star Toby Keith dies at 62 Remembering Toby Keith: Looking back at songs that made the Oklahoma native a country music superstar Remembering Toby Keith: Reflecting on the country music star's impact on his home state Black History Month: This Black-owned bank is celebrating 100 years in business Oklahoma woman frustrated, upset after receiving ambulance bill she said she shouldn't have been issued
Oklahoma native and country music superstar Toby Keith died Monday night, more than a year and a half after he announced that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
| MORE | Oklahoman and country music star Toby Keith dies at 62
Keith's official Facebook page announced the passing early Tuesday morning, saying he died while surrounded by his family and that he "fought his fight with grace and courage."
The news of his death caused an outpouring of tributes for Keith. Below is a look at some of the messages from local and national figures mourning the "Should've Been a Cowboy" star.
Gov. Kevin Stitt
"America lost a legend today. Toby Keith helped make Oklahoma the coolest place in the nation. His legacy will forever be in the hearts of Oklahomans and fans around the world— I know his spirit will live on. Sarah and I offer our condolences to Toby’s family."
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Sen. James Lankford
"Toby Keith was a great Oklahoman and a great American who loved our troops and loved our country. He will be deeply missed."
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Sen. Markwayne Mullin
"Oklahoma-native Toby Keith was a titan for country music. Born in Clinton, raised in Moore, and later playing semi-pro football for the Oklahoma City Drillers — Toby was Oklahoma Proud. He loved his family like he loved his country. May he rest in peace."
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Rep. Tom Cole
"Toby Keith was a homegrown music legend whose love of America and Oklahoma was ever-present. He never failed to show up for our community or military. He'll be sorely missed, but his words will live on through every song played. Join me in lifting the Keith family in prayer."
House Speaker Charles McCall
"Today is a sad day for Oklahoma as we mourn the passing of one of our native sons, Toby Keith. His contributions to Oklahoma go far beyond his music, as he was well known for his philanthropy and giving back to the state he loved so dearly. He helped promote our state both nationally and internationally, and his love for our troops and our country is something we should all seek to emulate. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He will be missed."
OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione
"Can’t believe we lost our dear personal friend, Toby Keith. Filled with deep sadness but flooded with wonderful memories too. He was as authentic as they come & did more for people than anyone will ever know. Please (pray) for his entire family. Rest high on that mountain Big T."
Garth Brooks
Toby Keith: Larger Than Life
(From One Okie to Another)
"In the entertainment world, things change from day to day. The business changes, the music changes, the ONLY thing constant is change. Except for Toby Keith..."Toby was the same every time you saw him. Loved him or hated him, he was constant."
"To say I knew him well wouldn't be a accurate statement. I knew of Toby his entire career, but only got to know him a bit at the Tornado Relief Concert he did in Oklahoma over a decade ago. What he did for the victims and survivors brought a ray of hope in a dark, dark time.
When someone I know passes away, I usually think of two things...my own mortality and what did I learn from this person? What I loved about Toby is what I hope I am able to do when it's my turn to wear those shoes. He was ALWAYS Toby...all the way up to his passing. Yes, he might have looked thinner than the larger than life cowboy we all saw on stage, but he was still that no filter, very loud, honest guy he was in the beginning. And artist to artist, he sounded the best I had ever heard him the last time he took the stage at the Ryman and in Vegas. A feat all of us artists wish to accomplish.”
Reba McEntire
"Toby and I are both from Oklahoma and very proud of our Oklahoma heritage. Toby worked very hard to make a mark in the country music business, and he did a great job doing that. Very proud of him, and I hope he rests in peace. I was very honored to get to work with Toby and be a part of the era of country music he was in. We'll sure miss him."
Dolly Parton
"It's always hard when we lose our brothers and sisters in country music. Toby Keith was one of the greats in every way. He will be missed but his music and legacy will live on."
Blake Shelton
Even though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day. Anyone who knew you knows what I mean. You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith.
Carrie Underwood
"Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!! Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir! We’re gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See you again someday, friend."
Alan Jackson
"Denise and I are saddened to hear about our friend Toby Keith. Our prayers are with Tricia and the entire Keith family."
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Jason Aldean
Just waking up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing. Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man.
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Donald Trump Jr.
"Ugh. We lost a legend this week. R.I.P Toby Keith."
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OU Football Coach Brent Venables
"WE are all Better, for knowing Toby…An Amazing Man who GAVE to so many. RIP brother. All love & (prayers) For His Family."
Kristin Chenoweth
"I loved him as a musician. A great Oklahoma. A great America. What a loss!"
Kid Rock
Toby Keith was a tried and true, red, white, and blue, AMERICAN BADASS! RIP TK, sure gonna miss ya Big Dog. Thanks for the music and all the great memories.
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Country Music Television
"CMT is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of country legend Toby Keith. Our hearts go out to his wife, Tricia, his children, and loved ones during this difficult time."
Luke Combs
"Damn, RIP Toby. Can’t believe it."
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Zach Bryan
"Too many rides in my old man's car listening to Toby Keith. really hard thing to hear. rest in peace friend we love you," Bryan tweeted alongside lyrics from some of Keith's greatest hits.
The University of Oklahoma
"Remembering Toby Keith. Forever a part of the #OUFamily."
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Golfer John Daly
"My heart is truly broken… one of my best friends gone by this disease! RIP Big Dawg."
Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson
"Many posts being made today and many grieving the loss of our Oklahoma Legend. Toby, you fought the good fight, now go and rest. Say hello to Mayberry for us. Until we meet again my friend."
Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City
"We are saddened to hear the news of Tobey Keith’s passing."
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Moore High School Alumni Association
"Such sad news this morning, Toby Keith has passed away peacefully at the age of 62. He was a member of the Moore High School Class of 1979. Please join us in praying for his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed."
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