Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member Mel Tillis died early Sunday morning at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla., according to his publicist Don Murry Grubbs. The suspected cause of death is respiratory failure.

The singer, songwriter, comedian and businessman, whose genuine warmth and down-home humor drew countless fans, was 85. In his six-decade career, he recorded more than 60 albums, notched three dozen top 10 singles and wrote several hit songs that are now regarded as classics.

Read more about the life and career of Mel Tillis here.