Kris Kristofferson’s Family Issues Statement as Country World Mourns Legend’s Death

There will never be another Kris Kristofferson. Each chapter of the country music trailblazer’s life could fill a book on its own. Kristofferson died Saturday (Sept. 28) at his Maui, Hawaii home. And as country music mourns this profound loss, many artists are sharing stories of the singer-songwriter’s unmatchable wit and talent that stretched the span of his home state, Texas.

Travis Tritt, LeAnn Rimes Remember Kris Kristofferson

The family of Kris Kristofferson shared news of his passing in a social media statement early Sunday (Sept. 29) evening. “We’re all so blessed for our time with him,” the statement read. “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

Country music star Travis Tritt paid his respects on social media, sharing two photos of himself standing beside the “For the Good Times” legend.

“Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing,” wrote the “T.R.O.U.B.L.E.” singer. “He was an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of ‘Outlaw Justice’ that we filmed in Spain in 1998. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans.”

’90s country darling LeAnn Rimes also shared a photo of herself with the three-time GRAMMY Award winner, calling him “an epic human with the biggest heart.”\

“you will be so, so missed,” the “Blue” singer wrote. “rest easy, my friend.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame Remembers a Legend

The word “legend” may seem trite, but truly, that’s what Kris Kristofferson was. After news of his death broke, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young shared a statement. Young paid tribute to the Brownsville, Texas-born artist’s “righteous, courageous, and resounding legacy.” Kristofferson became a Country Music Hall of Fame member in 2004.

[RELATED: The Story Behind How Kris Kristofferson Would Do Things According to Tim McGraw’s Namesake Hit]

“Kris Kristofferson believed to his core that creativity is God-given, and that those who ignore or deflect such a holy gift are doomed to failure and unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and then he created a body of work that gave voice not only to his soul but to ours,” Young said.

Kristofferson’s heroes included fighter Muhammad Ali, poet William Blake, and the ‘Hillbilly Shakespeare,’ Hank Williams.

“He lived his life in a way that honored and exemplified the values of each of those men, and he leaves a righteous, courageous and resounding legacy that rings with theirs,” Young said.

Featured image by Ts/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock