The hard-working businessman had been battling cancer and his daughter, 68, surprised him with a heartfelt surprise party to celebrate his life during the Independence Day holiday. The TV personality’s father owned a barbershop and was a Nashville city councilman during his lifetime. Sad news: Oprah Winfrey’s father, Vernon Winfrey, has died at the age of 88 after a battle with cancer. Oprah pictured with Vernon in 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee The 68-year-old posted a tribute to her Instagram earlier on Saturday with a heartfelt caption following the news of his death. Oprah wrote: “Less than a week ago we honored my father in his backyard. My friend and gospel singer Windley Phipps greeted him with song.’ “He felt love and rejoiced in it until he could no longer speak. Yesterday with the family around his bed, I had the sacred honor of seeing the man responsible for my life take his last breath,” she added, expressing that her father knew how much he was loved and cherished by people. In his honor: The TV personality, 68, recently surprised her father with a heartfelt surprise party to celebrate his life over the Independence Day holiday “We could feel Peace enter the room when she died. This Peace still abides. All good. Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts,” the star concluded. Commenters expressed their condolences for the post, with Oprah Daily stating: “Rest in peace Mr. Winfrey. What a beautiful tribute in person and through the written word.’ Although the type of cancer Vernon was battling has not been released, the business owner was able to be surrounded by friends and family over the holiday weekend. Memorable moment: During the celebration, gospel singer Windley Phipps sang a song to her father Guest of Honor: Vernon sat in a barber chair at the heart of the party to honor his work as the owner of a successful barbershop in Nashville Oprah, 68, planned a backyard barbecue to honor him and called the celebration Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day. In a video uploaded to her Instagram page, the talk show host explained what the event entailed. She stated that she threw the party, “because my father is sick. So we wanted to be able to have all his friends come and celebrate him while he can take the joy.’ Special day: She shared photos from the special 4th of July celebration on her Instagram Amazing surprise: The talk show host explained that her father, Vernon, thought the party was just a 4th of July celebration and had no idea the event was to honor him “To give my father his ‘flowers’ while they are still good enough for him to smell.” Happy 4th of July as you gather with family and friends. Remember to celebrate each other,” Oprah captioned the video. According to TMZ, Vernon owned the Winfrey Barber & Beauty Shop for over 50 years. An employee of the business expressed to the publication how attentive and loyal Oprah’s father was. “Vernon would give you the shirt off his back.” Father daughter twin: The star loved her father dearly and was photographed holding a microphone so she could say a few words during the Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day party Vernon was a beloved member of his community and gave back to the city by serving as a councilor in Nashville. According to the Sun, he was also a valued member of the National Barber Museum and Hall of Fame. During the 4th of July event, Oprah expressed how her father was one of her biggest inspirations and how he was a figure that looked up to her. He said he “brought honor to your life and honor to my life,” according to the report. Amazing memories: Vernon is pictured sitting in a barber’s chair surrounded by friends and family who came to pay their respects Big day: Oprah and friend Gayle King, 67, pictured together in front of Vernon Winfrey Appreciation poster
