Six years ago today, the man considered to be the greatest singer in country music took his last breath. George Jones died at the age of 81 in the middle of his farewell concert tour.

I had seen “The Possum” in concert many times over the years. In 1991, I finally did a live on-the-air with him over the phone. Several weeks later, when he played Lulu’s Roadhouse in Kitchener, Ont. for the first time, I was privileged to introduce him on stage on what was his 60th birthday. At his wife’s suggestion, I briefly interrupted his set, presented him with a birthday cake and led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to the legend.

Like most of his fans and friends, I was also moved by his passing.

The service for George at the Grand Ole Opry a few days later was very heartfelt and very emotional. Vince Gill’s heart-wrenching performance of “Go Rest High on That Mountain” brought tears to everyone’s eyes as well as a standing ovation. Alan Jackson couldn’t make it through the final song, an incredible rendition of “He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today,” without shedding some heartfelt tears. You would be excused if you watched video of those performances and shed a tear or two yourself.

Three years ago, in a moving video interview with The Tennessean newspaper posted on YouTube, George’s widow, Nancy, described George’s stay in the hospital and his last words. Spoiler alert: your jaw will probably drop as you watch this (get out the Kleenex):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ILjuLnx9iI

A man, a husband, a music icon and a big piece of country music history all died that day six years ago.