LOS ANGELES – If Kris Kristofferson’s life were fiction, it would feel a little implausible.

He was a Texas-born Golden Gloves boxer and star football player, a Rhodes Scholar, and a U.S. Army captain who walked away to become one of the greatest American singer-songwriters of the 20th century.

Kristofferson, a father of eight children who was married to Lisa Meyers for the last four decades of his life, died at his home in Maui, Hawaii, surrounded by family at age 88.

He had a master’s degree in English from Oxford and could quote the poetry of William Blake from memory.

Kristofferson was a major performer and hitmaker, straddling classic country music and Baby Boomer culture.

Nelson used Kristofferson’s songs to show his vocal mastery, with hits like “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again).”

Kristofferson also embraced kindred spirits of younger generations like Sinead O’Connor and stood by them through controversy.

His leftist politics stood in stark contrast to his country-singing Army veteran origins, making him a unique figure in the world of entertainment.

Kristofferson’s friendship with legends like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson shaped his career, with Cash recording his best-known song “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”

In films, Kristofferson excelled in roles that showcased his rugged charm and romantic appeal, earning praise from directors like Martin Scorsese and Barbra Streisand.

Kristofferson’s legacy as a songwriter and performer continues with his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and his collaborations with music icons.

Reflecting on his life, Kristofferson’s words from his song “The Pilgrim” resonate: “The goin’ up was worth the comin’ down.”