Toby Keith’s Wife of Almost 40 Years ‘Took Control’ of His Cancer Treatment: ‘She’s the Best Nurse’

Toby Keith’s wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia Lucus, has been a huge supporter amid his stomach cancer diagnosis.

While speaking in an interview that aired just weeks before Keith’s family confirmed that he had “passed away peacefully” aged 62 on Monday night. he praised his wife Lucus (61) for how she coped with the diagnosis of cancer.

“She was a patrol. She’s the best nurse,” the “Red Solo Cup” hitmaker told News 9’s Robin Marsh in a one-on-one interview. “The first time we went to Houston, to the hospital, she jumped right in and just took over and said, ‘We got this. Let’s go.’

Toby Keith played to the end: The country singer performed his last show just 2 months ago

Keith added: “So she’s like, ‘We’re going to get this and don’t worry about it.’

He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021, before revealing the news in June 2022.

At the time, the country icon said he had already undergone six months of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Toby Keith.

Erika Goldring/WireImage

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Keith and Lucus met shortly after he graduated from high school. At that time he worked in the oil fields and played in bars at night.

The couple dated for three years before tying the knot in March 1984.

Keith adopted Lucas’ first daughter, Shelley, who is now 43. The couple then welcomed their first child together, Krystal, 38, in September 1985 and welcomed their third child, a son named Stelen, 26, in April 1997.

Back in 1991, Lucus told PEOPLE that the singer-songwriter always tried to make her feel special.

“Most people think he’s just the most romantic person on the planet,” she said. “He has his moments of charm. It’s nice to get a bouquet of flowers, but I told him: ‘Save money. Roses die in five to seven days. Buy me clothes or take me out to dinner.’”

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Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards.

Allen Clark/NBC via Getty Images

In 2010, Keith told PEOPLE that he likes to spend time at home with his wife and children.

“Everybody in the family is good,” the country singer told PEOPLE at the time. “I was raised by good parents and I have great children. They don’t have any problems – none.”

“They all grew up with me as I was successful, but they weren’t attached to that part of the job,” he added.

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