Johnny MacRae, who penned several hit country songs that you know and love, such as Conway Twitty's No. 1 track 'I'd Just Love to Lay You Down' and Reba McEntire's '(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven,' as well as Doug Stone's 'I'd Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),' died on Wednesday, July 3.

He was 84 and passed away after a battle with heart disease.

MacRae died at home in Ashland City, Tenn.

MacRae's widow Mary said that per her late husband's request, there will be no funeral. Instead, she will plan a celebration of MacRae's life, which is slated for Oct. 19. It will be a "full moon" affair, which will include a bonfire and hayrides. It is meant to replicate the annual event that MacRae held for music business friends at his farm.

The songwriter had quite an interesting career. He served in the Navy for 15 years and left military life behind with designs on the music industry. In recent years, he worked on his farm, raising feathered critters, ranging from geese to peacocks to ducks to pheasants to chickens. He and Mary also enjoyed making wine from various types of grapes and fruit.

Other songs that MacRae wrote over the course of his career are here.

 

 

 

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