Alan Osmond, the eldest of the Osmond Brothers, passed away at the age of 76.
A spokesperson for the Osmond family said that his wife, Suzanne Pinegar, and their eight children were by his side when he passed on Monday, April 20, according to Fox 13. Tributes began to pour in for the legendary musician.
Brother Merrill Osmond’s Tribute
Merrill Osmond took to social media shortly after news of his brother’s passing began to spread to share a heartfelt tribute.
“My dear friends,” he began in a statement shared via Facebook. “Two days before my brother, Alan, passed, I was blessed to sit quietly with him. We talked as brothers do, heart to heart. He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle… and then he smiled.”
Merrill continued, “In a tender moment I will never forget, he leaned close and whispered something into my ear. He said, ‘Merrill, you and I worked side by side. We created, we produced, we directed… we gave our hearts to The Plan with Wayne. Please… do something with it. Let people know what we were trying to say.’ I want you to know, his request will be honored.”
He went on to say that his eldest brother has “stepped into the presence of our Father in Heaven with honor and peace.”
“His life was not measured in years, but in love, sacrifice, and purpose. His creativity, his vision, and his deep understanding of the Savior’s teachings were simply part of who he was,” Merrill added. “He lived it. He felt it. He shared it. He wanted me to tell you how much he loved you, and I believe that with all my heart. He gave everything he had to the Lord, to his family, and to all of you. He truly was a missionary. He truly was a saint.”
Merill — who shared his tribute alongside a series of photos of their life together — said he has continued to feel his brother’s presence since his passing.
“I have felt his quiet encouragement telling me to keep going… to keep building faith… to keep sharing light. His testimony is not gone, it lives on, and it will continue to be felt far beyond this life. So please, don’t let your hearts be heavy. Don’t weep for him. Rejoice, knowing that your brother, your friend, your hero is no longer in pain. He is free. He is whole. He is home,” Merrill wrote. “Before he passed, I whispered one request to him. I asked him, when he gets there… please give my son Troy a big hug for me. He looked at me and promised he would. And somehow… I believe that promise has already been kept. You’re loved, Merrill.”
Alan Osmond’s Health Battle
Osmond battled multiple sclerosis for four decades before his passing, which forced him to retire from performing.
“I was on stage and couldn’t raise my right hand,” Alan previously said, per Page Six. “I trusted my heavenly father. You have to have opposition in life — this was my test.”
Alan and his siblings, Merrill, Wayne and Jay, burst onto the scene performing on “The Andy Williams Show” in the 1950s.
He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, and his eight sons: Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex, and Tyler.
