Following the news of Merle Haggard's death on Wednesday (April 6), his 79th birthday, tributes to the country legend began pouring in. In a Facebook post, Haggard's son Ben remembers his father ... and says that the elder Haggard actually predicted his own death.

"A week ago, dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn't wrong," Ben Haggard writes. "A hour ago, he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends."

The younger Haggard had been playing with his father on the road, as his lead guitarist, before Merle Haggard began postponing tour dates due to a bout of pneumonia.

"He loved everything about life, and he loved that every one of you gave him a chance with his music," Ben Haggard continues. "He wasn't just a country singer ... He was the best country singer that ever lived."

With his sweet words, Haggard also shared a black-and-white photo of himself and his father holding hands.

Ben Haggard is Merle Haggard's youngest son. His mother is Theresa Ann Lane, Haggard's fifth (and last) wife. Together, Haggard and Lane also had a daughter, Janessa.

Remembering Merle Haggard