After years of silence, country gospel singer and former Statler Brothers member Jimmy Fortune has finally opened up about the tragedy that changed his life forever — the heartbreaking loss of his beloved son, Lester James “Jimmy” Fortune Jr.
At 70 years old, with a life marked by both musical triumph and personal pain, Jimmy chose to speak not for publicity, but for healing — both his own, and that of others quietly walking through grief.
In a recent sit-down interview filled with raw honesty, Jimmy’s voice cracked as he revealed what many fans had long wondered: the cause of his son’s untimely passing.
“It wasn’t drugs. It wasn’t violence,” Jimmy began, pausing to steady himself. “It was depression. Silent, hidden, and deadly.”
Jimmy Jr., affectionately known to family and friends as “Little Jimmy,” had struggled quietly for years, according to his father. “He smiled for everyone. He carried himself with strength,” Jimmy said. “But inside, he was carrying a weight we never fully saw — until it was too late.”
Jimmy Jr. passed away several years ago, but until now, the family had chosen to grieve privately. Jimmy Sr. says that for a long time, he felt shame, guilt, and confusion. But with time, faith, and the support of loved ones, he’s found the strength not just to face the truth, but to speak it aloud.
“I’m telling this now because someone out there needs to hear it,” he said. “If it helps one father, one mother, one son or daughter — then my boy’s story will still carry light.”
Fans, who’ve long cherished Jimmy Fortune’s emotional ballads like “More Than a Name on a Wall” and “I Believe”, now understand that his voice comes not just from talent — but from lived pain and deep compassion.
“Losing a child changes everything,” he admitted. “But I still believe in hope. I still believe God brings beauty out of ashes.”
In the months since sharing the story, Jimmy has quietly started supporting mental health awareness causes, often dedicating performances to those “we’ve lost too soon, and those still fighting battles we can’t see.”
His message is simple but powerful: “Talk. Listen. Be present. And never assume someone’s smile means they’re okay.”
Fans across the country have responded with tears, prayers, and an outpouring of love — not just for Jimmy’s music, but for his courage.
Because while this news is heartbreaking, it’s also redemptive. In choosing to speak now, Jimmy Fortune is turning private grief into public grace — and in doing so, honoring the life of his son in the most powerful way possible: through truth, love, and the quiet strength of a father’s heart.
