Country singer Tommy Overstreet, known as T.O. to many of his fans, has died at age 78.

Overstreet passed away on Monday morning (Nov. 2) at his home in Hillsboro, Ore., following a series of illnesses.

The singer was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Sept. 10, 1937, and grew up in Texas. His career path was greatly influenced by his cousin, Gene Austin, who was one of the first "crooners" to burst onto the music scene in the 1920s and '30s. Overstreet loved music from a young age and became a performer on Slim Willet's television series in Abilene, Texas, when he was 17 years old. He started a music group called the Shadows, toured with his cousin for a bit, joined the Army and was a songwriter for Pat Boone, but it wasn't until the late 1960s and early '70s that he landed on something that really resonated with him.

In 1967, Overstreet's career took a turn for the better: He was hired to manage Dot Records in Nashville, and, in 1970, he decided to pursue a country music career. Overstreet accumulated five Top 5 hits and 11 Top 10 singles throughout his career, and he also became a regular guest on television variety shows in the '70s, including Hee Haw and The Midnight Special. His hits include "Rocking a Memory (That Won't Go to Sleep)," "Gwen (Congratulations)," "That's When My Woman Begins," "Don't Go City Girl on Me" and "Ann (Don't Go Runnin')," among others.

Overstreet moved to Branson, Mo., in the mid-1980s, before heading to Hillsboro, where he passed away, later in his life.

Country Artists Who Have Died in 2015

More From TheBoot