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Vernon Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey's father, died late Friday after battling cancer, Oprah announced in a statement. He was 89.

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"Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside I had the sacred honor of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath," Oprah said  

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A tribute written on Oprah Daily, Oprah's lifestyle outlet, said Oprah was able to spend time with her father in Nashville during his final weeks.

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On July 4, Vernon was surprised with a "Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Celebration" and backyard barbecue, where he was surrounded by friends and loved ones.

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The celebration was a way to give her father his "'flowers while he's still well enough to smell them," Oprah said in an earlier post.

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During the celebration, Oprah's friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps sang for him. "He FELT the love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak," she wrote.

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Vernon was a well known barber in his community and served on the Metro Nashville Council for 16 years.

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Well known for his barbershop, Winfrey Barber & Beauty Shop, and achievements during his 16 years Metro Nashville Council, many in the community mourned the loss of Vernon after his long battle with cancer.

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The cause of Vernon’s death has not yet been confirmed regarding if it had anything to do with his battle with cancer.

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Gary Lymon, a barber who worked with Vernon in his shop for more than eight years said he is heartbroken.