Country hitmaker Claude ‘Curly’ Putman dies

NASHVILLE – Country songwriter Claude “Curly” Putman, who wrote iconic country songs like “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” ”D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” and “The Green, Green Grass of Home” has died. He was 85.

The songwriter died on Sunday, according to Jnae Partlow, co-owner of Partlow Funeral Chapel in Lebanon, Tennessee, where he lived.

Originally from Alabama, Putman was hired by publisher Buddy Killen to work at Tree Publishing in Nashville. He wrote both by himself and with other songwriters, most notably with songwriter Bobby Braddock.

Together they wrote “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” which became a signature song for George Jones and is considered to be one of the greatest country songs in history. “The Green, Green Grass of Home” became a country hit for Porter Wagoner and an international hit for Tom Jones.