Reader comments
Osmond goodbye: Family shares memories of father

Susi | 12:51 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

What a man, although he lived thousand of miles away, he influenced my way of life too.

Susi

Brad | 1:01 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

Working at a Service Station for 5 years in Provo I got to meet many of the Osmonds. They were always very nice and respectful. (Never demanding)
I am sorry with their loss, but I too know they will be together again.

John B Sheffield | 3:46 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

What a wish to be Granted "To be Happy" Father George has returned home and is with dear Mother Osmond re-united once more - What Joy!

All The Osmond's and Second Generations David Levi Osmond have given me such strength and inspiration a True Gift - My Prayers are Always with You John

It would be so good to hear the Hymns/Songs sung by The Brothers and Second Generation

Comments continue below

Alison | 5:23 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I am blessed to have been able to meet Father Osmond in 2005. I told him I admired and loved his family since I was a young girl. I thanked him for raising them so well. He thanked ME for being a fan/friend to them. He kissed my cheek and held my hand as we talked. I will cherish those moments forever. He was a gentle sweet man and will be missed. God bless the Osmonds.

JACK | 6:09 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

Saw the Oprah show and thought all did a fantastic job in celebrating your father. You have much to live up to. The eyes of many see you stand tall and strong. Always remember what he taught you and how he lived his life. Love and prayers to you all. What a great legacy he left behind.

Lori | 6:17 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

My heart and prayer go to the Osmond's and their loss. The song I remember most of all was Puppy Love it was one of my most favorite songs that was sung. I hope they know that their father is alot happier where he is, at least he is with his wife.

Friend | 7:57 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

May the glue which held their parents together forever bless this family in their endeavors. You will be together again.

Anonymous | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

What a wonderful father!!! a great tribute to a great man. By the way the 2nd Generation are the son's of Alan, Not Merril

sheila (scotland) | 9:06 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I feel the pain of the family's loss and my thoughts are with them.

sheila

Lisa Moorman | 9:15 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I never met either of the parents; however, I saw Mr. Osmond from a distance at one of Donny's concerts recently and was struck by the love between father & son as they interacted. I will always remember the "moment"

nola | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

my thoughts and prayers are with the Osmond at this time of loss, what a comfort it is to have the Gospel in our live and to know Families are forever...peace be with you all till you meet again.

nancy | 10:01 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

a great family and good example of the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints.

ladyblueyes | 11:05 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

What a great legacy the Osmond parents have left their progeny. Love, laughter and service. Thank you for sharing him with the world. I would love to see an "Osmond" show weekly - to include 2nd Generation along with the original 4 and Donny & Marie. I know you all are busy, but to have clean fun entertainment - in a talk show/variety format would be something I'd continue watching! I still watch my Best of Donny & Marie! God bless - we'll ALL be together!

Bob | 11:24 a.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I know this will never get by the religious man with his hand on the clicker, but--can we stop now?

Hey, Bob | 12:00 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

No one made you read the comments - stop whining.

The Osmonds are a great family and have experienced much, both good and bad, in their lives. They are not any different than the rest of us when we lose someone we love - we grieve, we celebrate, we hold on to each other and love one another. Not a bad idea at all.

Lin | 12:27 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I too saw the Oprah show with the Osmonds and thought they all did a great job! But for just once, will Marie stop "being on" and just be serious. Her father has just passed, Oprah was trying to ask her some heartfelt questions, and Marie just couldn't stop trying to make a joke out of everything. She does it on "Dancing" too.

Donny gave such high praise to his parents by commenting that they not only "talked the talk, but they walked the walk." What a tribute!

Thanks Osmond family - sometimes it might be hard to have that last name, but keep up the good work!

One more thing... | 12:32 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

Did Donny try to get the talk show host job on "The Price is Right" when Bob Barker retired? If not, then he should have. Drew Carey is way too casual and lacks the class that we are used to from Bob. Donny Osmond was a classy host of "Pyramid" and would have been a perfect choice for "Price is Right!"

Maureen | 12:34 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

yes I agree about Marie,she needs to STOP the wise cracks.

Anonymous | 12:55 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I met Father Osmond a few times, he was always gracious & kind to all he met. To those of us in the LDS church, death is but a moment, we know families will be reunited in the next world, that is why Marie may come across as treating this lightly. I'm sure they will rejoice that their parents are together again, yet it won't stop them missing him. He was a shining example to us all, a gentle man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, we feel like we've lost one of our own, stay strong,
Love, KARENx

Anonymous | 12:55 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

Yes, maybe Marie does need to stop the wise cracks; maybe that is some of the problem with her relationships and she needs to remember a husband is not a sibling.

Donna | 1:01 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

i feel for the kids as i lost my father a few years ago. marie joking is probably her way of dealing with her grief. my heart goes out to marie, donny and all of their brothers at this terrible time in their life. it is always hard to lose one parent not to mention both parents. my thoughts and prayers go out to the osmond family.

Deon Masker | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

In defense of Marie, you must remember that she admits openly that she "cracks jokes" to keep from crying.

I can't imagine anything harder than having to do two television shows thousands of miles apart, learn two new dances and bury your father all within 7 days. How she does it will probably remain a mystery, to us, but to attack her for "being on" with a joke, is quite a low blow. I wonder just how any of us would handle a week like that. I don't think I could.

More power to Marie, her children, her brothers and their families for the great example they set as loving, descent human beings. If only we could all be like them or at least learn from their examples.

I send my deepest love and gratitude to all of them and condolences on their loss at this time. I know that they have peace in their hearts, even though they are now separated from both of their parents. It will happen to us all someday.

I send loving hugs to all of them!

Abbie | 1:42 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I am so sorry to hear of their loss. I have lost a faher and a sister and I know how bad it hurts. They are a great loving family and I admire how closs they are. You don't see that much any more.
Please know that there are psople that do care and are praying for you and your family during this time. May God Bless You!

Suzyk | 2:25 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

The Osmond family as a whole have given much to this world. Their music and talents have buoyed up many hearts and brought much happiness and peace to our lives. They believe in God and strive to live righteous lives. It's wonderful to know that Brother Osmond is now with his sweet wife and they will be there together waiting for their children, grandchildren, etc. to come home. This is one of the most precious gifts that can be ours as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Osmond family will be in our hearts and our prayers during this difficult time.

Lynne | 2:31 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

To the Osmond family - our love, deepest respect and sympathy goes to your family. Thank heavens for our belief of "Families are Forever". Your program yesterday was a wonderful tribute to your folks. You and your folks were/are the best examples of everything good. We send our prayers and love to you. God bless!

Douglas Harding | 3:08 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I have long admired the Osmond family. I am sorry for the loss of your mother and now your father. They have been a good example for all of us. You are blessed to have had such wonderful parents - and so have we!

Lisa Downing | 3:26 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I have loved the Osmond family from afar for years. Their quiet example led me to the LDS church and forever changed my life. I would love to give one family memeber a hug and thank them for the great example they have set for me and others all over the world. God bless every Osmond.

Linda Ramsey | 4:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I am so sorry on the loss of your father my thoghts are with the Osmond family at this very difficult time. I also lost my Father at this time of the year and can relate what you are all going through you are such a loving close family which i have always admired respected and loved over the years my heart goes out to you. God bless you.

chocoholicmomma | 5:13 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I grew up watching Donny and Marie and the Osmond Brothers. I admired the way the family treated each other and loved each other. I was baptized a member of the church in the early 80's. One of the few things I knew about the church prior to my baptism was that Donny and Marie were members. George and Olive have done a wonderful job of raising all 9 of their children. I laughed and cried as I watched them on Oprah, so many memories! Marie, I would be your sister anyday! :) We are sisters in the gospel. I truly look up to you. I met Merrill once and shook his hand. I could tell he had a strong testimony of the gospel as I saw the light shining in his eyes. I am amazed at the Osmonds strength through adversity. How thankful I am that the whole world has been blessed by THIS FAMILY in many ways. God Bless the Osmond family!

Lyn from Ohio | 7:14 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I have always felt a kidship to Marie as I am the sister to 7 brothers w/out a sister and though I am a blessed to still have my Mom..my father has been gone now for 15 years and my heart goes out to the whole family in this time...but though I am not a LDS member I too believe we will see our loved ones some day...Please accept my heartfelt words of comfort and admiration...we are from the same generation and I have been a fan since childhood of the whole family....God bless you all...I have been greatly inspired by your family's love and loyalty...

Tenchy | 7:36 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

my prayers are with all of you. May God keep him in his tender care.....

Martine from Canada | 7:41 p.m. Nov. 10, 2007

I have loved the Osmond family since I fell in love with a poster of Donny in Tiger Beat magazine in the early 70's. I have always admired the love and family values they have. In today's world, it is heartwarming to see that family love and strenght is still possible..God bless the whole Osmond clan.

Alison | 6:01 a.m. Nov. 11, 2007

I just want to let all the Osmonds know that we are thinking of them during this difficult time. I would love to commend them for being so strong and doing such a wonderful job on the Oprah show, it was a wonderful tribute to their father. I am greatful for their beliefs and that their parents are together now for eternity. Thank you for sharing with us and please know that are thoughts and prayers are with you.

Debbie | 2:14 p.m. Nov. 11, 2007

Everybody deals with death and life in a different way. What is the right way? Having a sense of humor is a wonderful quality which gets us through the ups and downs in our lives. God bless the Osmonds during this time of sorrow and celebration of the life of their father.

Mary | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 11, 2007

I grew up watching Donny and Marie and love the Osmond Family. I am 47 and my husband died recently. I am sorry for your loss. I loved watching Oprah And The Osmonds and Oprah After The Show. I keep playing the video of The Osmonds 2nd Generation. Please, Please release a CD of their beautiful song I May Never Pass This Way Again, and other gospel songs and hymns they sing. Thank you for inspiring families everywhere.

Betty from Oklahoma | 3:46 p.m. Nov. 11, 2007

God bless each and everyone of you. Yes, it is a celebration of life for your father and I really appreciated that you went ahead and did the Oprah show, your parents were smiling down on you. Oh what examples in faith your parents were, like you said Donny, they talked the talk and walked the walk. Donny and Marie I have watched you, actually the brothers
to, for so many years and think of all of you like my own family. I am always interested in your life. And always proud. I actually am from Vernal, Utah but live in Bixby, Oklahoma now with my family. You will all and always be in my heart and prayers. Keep the laughter going to...may god be with each and everyone

David P. | 9:59 p.m. Nov. 11, 2007

In the early 70's I was a begining radio broadcaster/DJ and I remember Well the Osmonds...
Played many of their records. "One Bad Apple",
"Yo-Yo", "Down By The Lazy River" were some of the Early Big ones! In 1973, The Osmonds with the help of Mike Curb, produced an Album entitled "The Plan".
This was produced in Hollywood the year before the
"Donny and Marie" show began. This was very much a Gospel orientated Album. It dealt with Spiritual things with much emphasis to those things that are uniquely LDS. Two of the tracks made it to the Billboard Magazine charts, "Let Me In" and "Goin' Home".

At that time I worked part time at KEZY in Anaheim,
just down the road from Disneyland. This was when the Top 40 was still big on the AM radio. The Morning DJ Mark Denis made a special series of little short vignettes featuring interviews from people he had visited in Utah about the meaning behind the album tracks. These ran every hour for a whole weekend both days. Mark was not LDS, he was a practicing Catholic, having even graduated from a
Catholic High School.

More in next comment entry...

David P. (part 2) | 10:16 p.m. Nov. 11, 2007

Part 2..

Mark had a big heart and was very interested in other's beliefs, backgrounds, cultures, etc.
He was a very open minded person and a really great human being. To my understanding, doing those vignettes was totally his idea. This happened when the Album was just released.

The Osmonds did have a Great Reach in their appeal
thanks to the Great Leadership of a Great Father and
Mother. I recently found a CD copy of that Album
"The Plan" at the Deseret Book store in Sacramento.
That was just a couple of years ago or so. There may still be copies out there, if anyone is interested.

I remember meeting some of Osmonds at a book signing
at the Uiversity Mall in Orem back in 1974.

They did make an impact of the music industry.

They, over the years, sent good immage of
LDS family values and of the Church too...

George, you and your wife and family left
a Great Legacy...

God Bless the Osmond family!!

Alie from the Netherlands | 10:10 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007

About 14 years ago I met Father Osmond in Branson, we spoke about his sons mission (spreading the gospel through their example and songs) then he had to go and said to me we'll meet again, actually i told him I didn't think I would be able to come to the usa for some time and he said "if not here then up there!" and I couldn't agree more with him!
The Osmond brothers are my spiritual brothers and my example and my missionaries and I thank Heavenly Father He placed them on my way! I cry for the family but they are no orphants as they are part of an eternal family and one day will be reunited with their loving parents who are still keeping an eye on them!
Keep the memories alive for your posterity of a wonderful hardworking not perfect father who loved all of his children grand and greatgrand children!
sincerely a loving sister in the gospel

Melissa Bernard | 9:18 p.m. Nov. 12, 2007

I'm close to Marie in age. I can remember as a teenager "being in love" with Donny. That was the 70's. Even had big 'ol posters of Donny and his brothers on the walls of my room... Donny was a couple of years or so older....

I was always impressed with them. Never got a chance to see them in a live concert where you're actually there. But it would have been fun, especially back then.

I know Donny got married and has a family of his own as did Marie and the other brothers.

It's sad that their Dad has passed on.

I'm not LDS, but I do have a lot of respect for them and LDS Mormon people in general. When I go to Salt Lake City, if time permits, I like to visit Temple Square and see all the exhibits there.

I know that the LDS believe that families continue
into the next life. I hope thae George and Olive
have a Happy Re-union along with their children as
they will move on too eventually, as time
marches on...

Thanks for the example and the Memories...

Thank You, Osmonds!!

Melissa

Jocelyn | 10:35 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I watched the Donny and Marie show when I was a teenager. Back then, as a student in an all girls-college in Asia, some well travelled girls would talk about Marie being weird because she was still a virgin as was a requirement for their religion. They said for Americans to be virgins over 16,that's weird. I had no idea what that religion was but about twenty years later, my husband and I were baptized as members of the LDS Church. Now living in Canada and with two kids to raise I believe that to live the principles of the gospel is the best and only way to go.

I too feel their pain but also their joy in letting go.We all know that their father has been reunited with their mother and all the other members of the family who had gone before them. He's left quite a legacy for Donny and Marie and the entire family to declare their religion to the whole world in every way especially through examples - that was father osmonds legacy that we all north americans should learn from.

da | 9:31 a.m. Nov. 14, 2007

deseret morning news

Alan was the one who had eight sons,NOT Merrill,get your facts right

da | 9:38 a.m. Nov. 14, 2007

Merrill had FOUR sons ,travis,Justin Shane and Troy plus TWO daughters Heather and Sheila (adopted)

Alan is the one with eight sons Michael,Nathan,Douglas,David,Scott,Jon,Alex(away on mission) and Tyler

da | 10:29 a.m. Nov. 14, 2007

Alan had eight sons,not Merrill

Kathy | 5:14 a.m. Nov. 17, 2007

You would think the writer of an article would get their facts straight! Merrill doesn't even have 8 CHILDREN, much less 8 boys! EVERYone knows Alan has 8 sons!

da | 9:05 a.m. Nov. 20, 2007

Agreed with you there Kathy,you would think that the writer of this article would have known long long before now that the eight famous sons are the sons of ALAN not Merrill,has the writer not heard of them before

da | 2:27 a.m. Nov. 21, 2007

Everyone knows that Merrill had FOUR sons,Travis,Justin,Shane and Troy plus TWO daughters Heather and Sheila,FOUR and TWO makes SIX,NOT EIGHT,so where did the writer get the idea from that Merrill had eight sons when everyone knows that Alan was the one that had EIGHT SONS

Assumming | 12:44 a.m. Nov. 25, 2007

Hello "da". Not everyone knows all the details
on the Osmond Brothers. You're assumming a lot.
The four original brothers were seen by the general
public as a unit (a group). Unless one was a die heart fan, it was probably hard to know who was who.
When Donny came into the light, he came as One
individual. When Marie showed up on stage and on record, she was the only girl, .... again easy to remember. All this was over 30 years ago....

True, a reporter should have all the facts straight. This story was about father George's
passing, not all the details about his grandkids.
The story writer did make a mistake about who was
who in relation to the gr. children, but you "da" seem
to be awfully critical. Not everyone was that detailed in knowing who was who in a family as big as the Osmonds. Maybe the reporter was a young child or maybe not even born yet in the Glory years
of the Osmonds of the late 60's and 70's.

Marie's big Country singing years were mostly in the 80's, except for "Paper Roses" ('73), originally done by Anita Bryant in 1959.

Be nice...

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