George Osmond, 90; Father to Family of Entertainers

George Osmond, 90, father of Donny and Marie Osmond and patriarch to the family's singing group the Osmond Brothers, died Nov. 6 at his home in Provo, Utah. No cause of death was reported.

The death was first reported on the Web site of "Entertainment Tonight" and was confirmed by the Associated Press through a spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which Mr. Osmond was a member.

George Osmond married his wife, Olive, on Dec. 1, 1944. She died in 2004. The couple were the parents of nine children, many of whom became singing stars. Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond became famous as the Osmond Brothers, a barbershop quartet singing at Disneyland and on "The Andy Williams Show."

Donny Osmond joined the group at age 6 and later hosted the "Donny and Marie" TV show with his sister. The youngest son, Jimmy Osmond, is also a performer.

George Osmond had 55 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.

A World War II veteran, Mr. Osmond also served missions for the Mormon church in Hawaii and the United Kingdom. In his professional life, he worked in real estate, insurance sales and was once postmaster of Ogden, Utah. He gave up his work to manage the singing careers of his children.

Mr. Osmond and his wife formed the Osmond Foundation, which later became the Children's Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals.

-- Associated Press