This morning (July 9), longtime Oak Rich Boys member Joe Bonsall passed away due to complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This afternoon, the group took to social media to share some details about Bonsall’s life and death as well as news about his funeral arrangements.
The message was short and to the point. However, it did much to shed light on a life that touched so many others. Bonsall wasn’t just one of the brightest voices in the Oak Ridge Boys. He was also a family man, a farmer, an author, and a man of faith.
Videos by American Songwriter
[RELATED: Longtime Oak Ridge Boys Member Joe Bonsall Dead at 76]
The Oak Ridge Boys Share Joe Bonsall’s Partial Obituary
After noting that Joe Bonsall died due to complications of ALS, the post pointed out that he left several family members behind. “He leaves behind his precious wife, Mary Add, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Beanna, grandson Luke, two great-grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy,” it read. “He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.”
The partial obituary also highlighted some of Bonsall’s professional accomplishments. “As a 50-year member of the American music group, The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and inducted into the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame,” it noted. However, his accomplishments didn’t just lie in the music he made.
“Joseph is also the author of 11 books including his latest, a memoir entitled, I See Myself which releases in November. Joe loved to sing, he loved to read, he loved to write, he loved to play banjo, he loved working on the farm, and he loved the Philadelphia Phillies. But Jesus and his family always came first—and we will see him again on the Promised Day,” the post stated.
At Bonsall’s request, there will be no funeral in his honor. In lieu of flowers, he wanted fans, friends, family, and loved ones to make donations to The ALS Association or the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.
At this time, the Bonsall family requests privacy.
Featured Image by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 16: Chris Stapleton performs onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association) -
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Zach Top performs onstage during C2C Country to Country day one at The O2 Arena on March 13, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Kelly Hansen of Foreigner performs onstage during The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis 39th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner on September 29, 2025 at the New York Hilton Midtown raised millions of dollars to support the pioneering work of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and the world’s premier research center targeting spinal cord and brain injury and other neurological disorders and diseases. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis) -
(NO SUB AGENCIES IN UK, FRANCE, GERMANY, HOLLAND, SWEDEN, FINLAND, JAPAN.) Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant) 1969 during Led Zeppelin File Photos at the Led Zeppelin File Photos in Various, United Kingdom. (Photo by -
The Beach Boys. Bruce Johnston, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and Mike Love, 7th November 1966. (Photo by Malcolm MacNeil/Mirrorpix/Getty Images) -
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND – JUNE 25: Paul McCartney performs with Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl as he headlines the Pyramid Stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 25, 2022 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage) -
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images -
Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage