Songwriter Ray Pennington has died in a house fire in Hendersonville. He was 86 years old when he passed away.

According to WKRN, Shackle Island Volunteer Fire Chief Martin Bowers, the investigation is ongoing, but preliminary reports indicate the fire started in a golf cart in the garage.

“The smoke got in the house and he went out to see what was going on,” Martin shared. “So, I guess when he opened the door that’s when he saw the fire.”

“His wife went in to try to go see what was going on and the smoke drove her out,” he continued. “She got out of the house, but he didn’t.”

The fire chief also told The Tennessean that the smoke had started coming into the house, which is when Ray went to investigate.

“The word we got was smoke was coming in the house, so Mr. Pennington walked out to the garage to see what was going on, and the golf cart was on fire,” he said. “The smoke was so bad that his wife couldn’t get to him.”

Some of Ray’s family members were on hand as firefighters tried to put out the blaze.

“He was happy go-lucky, never in a bad mood,” his granddaughter told News Channel 5. “He loved my grandmother … He was the kindest man you ever met. The world needs more people like him.”

As a songwriter, Ray had success with Waylon Jennings, who recorded his song, “I’m a Ramblin’ Man,” after Ray first recorded it for himself. The song was later recorded by Montgomery Gentry as well. He also wrote “Three Hearts in a Tangle,” which became a hit for Ray Drusky in the early ’60s. As a solo artist, Ray released three albums, as well as seven as part of the Swing Shift Band.

Funeral services are pending. Everything Nash extends their deepest condolences to the family.