Toby wrote in the post that he had been told he had stomach cancer in the fall. But for six months, he had already been through radiation and treatment. The singer was looking forward to spending time with his family because things were going well for him at the time.

Even though he had health problems, the country star didn’t let having cancer stop him from doing what he loved: making music. Toby held his yearly Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic event in June 2023. It was a two-day party that raised money for the Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral. The group’s main goal is to assist Oklahoma City-area kids with cancer who need care.

While he was at the event, Toby seemed positive about his health and his job prospects. He said that he was going to get a scan soon and hoped that the growth would have shrunk by then. “Basically, everything is in a real positive trend,” he stated.

The singer of “I Love This Bar” was getting used to singing again and was excited to go on tour again. Being funny was another thing he didn’t lose in the fight. He won a Country Icon Award at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards before he died. In his acceptance speech, he made fun of people who wear skinny jeans.

Toby, on the other hand, went through important times in his family’s history. The dad left behind his three kids, who he shares with his wife, Tricia Lucus. Throughout his battle with cancer, his wife was always there for him. Tricia was a great nurse, and she stayed by her husband’s side until the end.

Toby and Tricia’s oldest daughter, Shelley Covel Rowland, is from Tricia’s first marriage, but she was adopted by the couple after they got married. Shelley doesn’t talk much about her life on social media and stays out of the public eye.

The second daughter of Toby is Krystal Keith, and she became a singer like her dad. At the 2004 CMA Awards, the dad and daughter sang one of Toby’s hit songs together, “Mockingbird.”

Along with her husband Andrew Sandubrae, Krystal finally put her music career on hold to raise their two kids. Toby was still proud of his daughter and told her she had a great voice.

Krystal’s father may have had an effect on her, but she was eager to make her own sound. Other strong female singers in the business, like Patsy Cline, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire, also gave her ideas.



The only child of Toby and Tricia is Stelen Keith Covel. He is said to deal in real estate and co-own some of these restaurants: 405 Burger Bar, Hollywood Corners, and Tequila Chulos.

Stelen Covel has been married to Haley Covel since November 2021. An important part of Haley’s wedding was having her father-in-law walk her down the aisle. Toby said that he wasn’t sure if he would live to see his son’s wedding after he found out he had cancer.

After being told he had the disease, he saw a few people close to him die from it. His son-in-law had also lost her father, and she asked the country star to walk her down the aisle. Eventually, seeing Haley’s request come true was a special moment for the “Red Solo Cup” singer.

Haley also talked about her wedding day and thanked the country star for making her feel like she was part of the family in her message to Toby. “He took me in as his own, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.” she wrote. Haley ended her heartwarming tribute with the words, “He walked me down the aisle in 2021 to marry his son. 🤍 “

In honor of his dad, Stelen also showed a picture of himself as a child. He thought Toby Keith was the toughest person he had ever met. He was thankful to have had him as a hero, teacher, and mentor. “The only thing I truly ever wanted in life was to make you proud. I promise I will continue to make you proud,” wrote the proud son.