Wayne Osmond. Photo:
Brian Rasic/Getty
Wayne Osmond, who was an original member of the Osmonds singing group, has died. He was 73.
On Thursday, Jan. 2, Wayne’s brothers Donny, Merrill and Jay confirmed the news in social media posts, revealing that he died on Jan. 1 in Salt Lake City after suffering a stroke.
“My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed,” Donny, 67, wrote on Instagram. “Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”
“I’m sure I speak on behalf of every one of us siblings when I state that we were fortunate to have Wayne as a brother,” Donny added. “Even though we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity.”
The “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” singer concluded his post by writing, “I love you, Wayne. Your brother forever.”
Meanwhile, Merrill wrote on Facebook that he immediately drove to the hospital when he heard of his brother’s stroke to say goodbye. He then went on to praise his brother, calling him a “saint.”
“I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met,” Merrill, 71, wrote, adding that his death was a “sad moment.”
“My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God,” he concluded. “I will miss him tremendously. I am so grateful to have grown up with one of heavenly father‘s greatest sons. Until I see him again, know that he was loved.”
In his own Facebook tribute, Jay called his late brother “a true legend.”
“My heart is deeply saddened for the loss of my brother Wayne. It is said that where there is great love there is great grief as we part during our earthly journey,” Jay, 69, wrote. “Throughout my life I have always felt most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings. He was my roommate and my confidant over the decades.”
A rep for Wayne did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Wayne, who was the fourth of nine kids, sang in a barbershop quartet with his older brother Alan and younger brothers Merrill and Jay. They first formed in 1958 for their Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Ogden, Utah.
Wayne Osmond. Ethan Miller/Getty
In 1961, the Osmond brothers were discovered singing at Disneyland and went on to become regulars on The Andy Williams Show. Brothers Donny and Jimmy eventually joined, as well as sister Marie. In 1971, the group reached the height of their fame after the release of “One Bad Apple.” The song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 100.
Shortly after, the band went their separate ways. Jimmy pursued a solo career, while Donny and Marie, 65, began singing as a duo.
Wayne married Kathlyn White, a former pageant queen, in 1974. They welcomed five children together.
Over the years, Wayne experienced a series of issues with his health. In 1997, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and lost nearly all of his hearing as a result of the treatment. Then, in 2012, he had a stroke that left him unable to play guitar.
Wayne Osmond. C Brandon/Redferns
Wayne opened up about his health in an interview with Coping With Cancer magazine in 2004 and said that illness made him appreciate life even more.
“The greatest part of all this is that I’ve become even closer with my sweetheart, Kathy,” Wayne said about his wife. “She’s an absolute angel. I’m a very, very blessed man. That’s what I am. … I’ve been enlightened. And now I look back at it and I think to myself, I’m glad that I got cancer. Isn’t that something? It really opened up my eyes. It made me realize that life really is important. And I’m only 52 years old — I hope I can go another 52!”
