The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall in a video days before death
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Published 2024-07-09
In January, Joe made the difficult decision to retire from touring with the quartet, citing his illness. Despite his absence, the group honoured him by continuing their farewell tour.
A heartfelt statement on Joe's website reads:
"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 statement continues:
"Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult."
Honouring Joe's wishes, there will be no funeral. Instead, his family has requested that donations be made to The ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center in lieu of flowers. The family kindly asks for privacy during this time.
Joe, born Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1948, joined The Oak Ridge Boys as a tenor in 1973. His remarkable contribution to the group's success over the past 51 years includes over 30 top-five country hits, with nearly half reaching the top of the charts.
Joe leaves behind his loving wife, two daughters, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. We extend our deepest condolences to the Bonsall family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
#JoeBonsall Joe Bonsall death #theOakRidgeBoys
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All Comments (21)
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I am 65 years old. RIP Joe.....yes sir Because he LIves............
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The Oaks and Statlers,, two great vocal groups that will never be replaced..
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He's with his Lord and Saviour now! What a testamony.
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I love his comments on BECAUSE HE LIVES. Some years ago I had been injured in an accident. I couldn't work or do a lot of things with my children I loved. I tormented my wife. I don't know how she and the kids stuck with me. One thing I did was still go to church. I never listened but I went. One particular Sunday they sang BECAUSE HE LIVES. As I said, I never listened but suddenly these words rang out and then I CAN FACE TOMORROW changed my life around. RIP Joe. Loved you and the Oak Ridge Boys no matter what you sang.
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My daughter was born multiple handicapped with seizures back in 1989. My favorite song from The Oakridge Boys was "Thank God for Kids". I cross-stitchd the words to that song and it hung over her bed till she passed away in January of 2008. This song was read at her funeral also. That song ment the world to me. RIP Mr. Joe. Love from Louisiana.
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Wow this is a hard one to swallow. I grew up a fan of the Oak Ridge Boys. Joe had such a fantastic voice. Joe thank you for being such an inspiration. May you enjoy your peace and comfort with the Lord Almighty. Until we meet again sir. God Bless.
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The Oak Ridge Boys have been a huge part of my life. My daddy was a huge country music fan and introduced me to it at a very young age. I grew up listening and later watching the Boys every chance I got. The first cassette I ever bought with my own money was Ya'll Come Back Saloon with my allowance money that I had saved up until I could get it. RIP Joe Bonsall you will be remembered and missed. I'm off to watch me some of the boys throwing you into the Mississippi, Monongahela, or the Ohio and try to wash these tears away.
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I thank the Lord for sharing Joe with us for so long. What a blessing it is to hear Joe singing gospel songs. He has moved me to tears many times with I Love To Tell The Story. 🙏🙏
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I had the privilege of meeting Joe 2 or 3 times. He was as kind and nice as he seemed. RIP Joe.
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I was 9 and a half years old when I first heard the Oak Ridge Boys sing. I am almost 51 and I still like their music. It is really sad to hear that Joe Bonsall has passed away. I am sure that his memories and his music will live on forever
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In the mid 80’s my child was born and the hospital had a lottery for all new families to get a limousine ride home. We won! I couldn’t believe it! We walked out to the lobby and there was a red carpet and a chauffeur standing at attention. He then took care of my bags and everything. He told my husband and I that he had been driving around the Oak Ridge Boys and how nice they were. I felt very honored to be sitting in that beautiful limo where they had sat.
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Well, I'm 71 and have enjoyed this group ever since I heard them the first time.To me, they were the best group out there. Joe was a great man we will miss.
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Singing in the Heavenly Choir now! Well done! May God Bless and give peace and comfort to Joe Bonsall's family and friends and fans.
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I'm 62 years old. The Oak Ridge Boys have always been my favorite group. I saw them at the little Frankin Music Park in Georgia when I was in high school and went to several concerts there. I saw them at the University of Georgia. I always enjoyed singing all of the different parts. I could ALMOST reach down to Richard Sterban's bass and I could ALMOST reach up to Mr. Bonsall's high tenor. I served overseas in Zambia in the same country as Duane Allen's brother. I'm grateful for their long time, faithful Christian witness and fun they had on stage for so many years.
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My prayers are with Joe's family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. My grandmother passed due to ALS in 1973, and it's a terrible way to go, but knowing that Joe was ready, and maybe even eager to leave should make his passing a little easier for all of us to bear. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5. RIP Joe, you've finally made it back home. ✝️
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Rest in peace, Mr. Bonsall. Thank you for the music. Elvira is one of my favorite songs.
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What a huge loss to the music world. I have been a Oak Ridge Boys fan since I was a kid. I'm 56 years old now. Rest Easy Joe Bonsall your work on earth is done. God speed sir😢😢
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R.I.P. Mr. Bonsall, you will be missed by many
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My Mom was in her 80's when she started going to concerts. She loved George Strait, and my Oakridge boys as she called them. She passed away about 7 years ago at the age of 93. When I heard about Joe, I called my sister, and told her that she has one of her boys with her. She said awww! I bet she asking him to sing. Sorry to hear about the ALS, we lost my brother Gary from ALS in 2019 and it is a horrible thing to died from.
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I will say this....one of the best voices that I ever heard in my life...has passed into eternity! We will see him again soon someday with our hearts filled with joy and love as we will hear him sing again. I had all the Oak Ridge Boys tapes and played them often. I will miss him. R.I.P. Joe
