Merle Haggard’s son said the ­country-music legend warned his family that his death would come on his 79th birthday.

“A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong,” Ben Haggard wrote on Facebook.

“He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn’t just a country singer . . . He was the best country singer that ever lived.”

Merle, who had hit songs such as “Okie From Muskogee,” died Wednesday due to complications from pneumonia.

A private memorial for the iconic musician will be held on Saturday in Palo Cedro, Calif.