Toby Keith (L) and Blake Shelton attend SiriusXM’s The Highway channel broadcast backstage at the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 14, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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AfterKeith “passed peacefully” at age 62on Monday night, Shelton remembered the country icon onX (formerly known as Twitter).

“Even though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day. Anyone who knew you knows what I mean,” wrote the 47-year-old singer on Tuesday. “You were the toughest man I ever met.”

Toby Keith (L) and Blake Shelton perform onstage at the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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During the2023 People’s Choice Country Awardslast September, Shelton presented Keith with the country music icon award.

At the time, Keith told PEOPLE that he had known Shelton “forever.”

“I took him out when I first got headliner status early on and I was his first big tour he got,” said the late musician.

“He lived in Oklahoma, so we’re kindred spirits, a lot alike,” Keith added. “We have fun together.”

Honoree Toby Keith accepts the Country Icon award from Blake Shelton on stage during the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards held at the Grand Ole Opry House on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Along with Shelton, several more countrymusic stars mourned the loss of the icon— includingCarrie Underwood,Dolly Parton,Jason Aldean,Old Dominion,Luke Bryan,Jelly Roll,Zach Bryan,Dan + ShayandLuke Combs, as well asReba McEntireandChuck Wicks.

McEntire told PEOPLE, “We’re going to miss him so much, not only as a friend but a fellow performer and person in the music business and from Oklahoma.”

“But he doesn’t have to fight anymore, and he doesn’t have to hurt anymore,” the 68-year-old singer added. “I hope one day to get to see him up in Heaven. Thank God we have his wonderful music to keep us company, even though he’s not here on earth with us.”

Reba McEntire and Toby Keith

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Throughout his decades-long career, Keith captivated audiences with chart-topping country hits, including “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “I Love This Bar,” “As Good as I Once Was,” and “Made in America,” among others.

Toby Keith in concert at the Comcast Theatre

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Keith’s family confirmed he had “passed peacefully” after beingdiagnosed with stomach cancerin the fall of 2021.Keith’s family shared news of his deathin a social media post.

source: people.com