Oprah’s father, Vernon Winfrey, dies at the age of 88

opera mourns the death of her father, Vernon WinfreyWho passed away after a struggle with cancer.

A longtime Vernon employee confirmed to TMZ that he died Friday night in East Nashville, Tennessee. First local city council member I reported the news.

In a move that now seems prescient, Oprah was in town this past weekend to celebrate her dad.

I surprised him by organizing a Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day on July 4th…giving the community a chance to thank Vernon for his service as a former city councilman and old local businessman.

As Oprah said, “My dad is sick, so we wanted to be able to invite all his friends to celebrate him while he’s able to receive joy. And that’s what we do.”

Vernon was sitting, fittingly, on a barber’s chair in the middle of a backyard barbecue…as his friends and family celebrated him.

He owned and operated Winfrey’s Barber and Beauty Shop for over 50 years – and was loved by the community. One of his employees told us:[Vernon] He’ll give you the shirt off his back.”

Vernon’s daughter wasn’t ashamed of how proud she was of him, and she celebrated his accomplishments for a long time.

When she had a daily talk show, Oprah returned her cameras to visit her father at his establishment.

In the run-up to Monday’s celebration, it was evident how excited she was to plan the event.

Oprah said she was “going back to my Nashville roots” because she posted several videos and photos with family members preparing a barbecue.

You may remember… her mother, Verneta LeeAnd the Passed away in 2018 at the age of 83.

Speaking about her dad earlier this week, Oprah said she wanted to make sure she gave him flowers while he was still here, and her timing couldn’t have been better.

Vernon was 88 years old.

rest in peace