Alan Osmond’s Brother Says ‘His Life Was Not Measured in Years’ After Death

Alan Osmond never let his diagnosis define him. Decades after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the Osmonds member – who lived by the motto, “I may have MS, but MS does not have me!” – died at 76.

According to a report from KSL on Monday, April 20, Alan died around 8:30 p.m. local time that same night. He was surrounded by his wife, Suzanne Pinegar, and their eight sons – Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex and Tyler.

Alan’s brother Merrill didn’t want his fans’ “hearts” to “be heavy,” however.

“Two days before my brother, Alan, passed, I was blessed to sit quietly with him. We talked as brothers do, heart to heart,” Merrill, 72, wrote in an emotional Facebook post. “He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle… and then he smiled.”

He added that his brother had “now stepped into the presence of our Father in Heaven with honor and peace.”

Merrill continued, “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. 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 also described Alan as a “saint” and a “missionary” and said that even though Alan had died, he still “felt his quiet encouragement telling me to keep going.”

Alan and Merrill, along with their brothers Wayne and Jay, started a barbershop quartet in 1958 where they performed during weekly church services and for local audiences. They became regulars on The Andy Williams show starting in 1962, where their brother Donny eventually joined them, followed by sister Marie and brother Jimmy.

They stayed with the show until the end of its run in 1967. After that, they signed on with The Jerry Lewis Show and stayed there until its cancellation in 1969. Within the next few years, the group rose to fame with hits like “One Bad Apple,” and the group hit their peak in 1973.

Alan met Pinegar when he attended a Brigham Young University basketball game and she was a cheerleader. In 1974, they officially wed.

In 1987, Alan was diagnosed with MS, which eventually led to him retiring 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.”