Osmond Patriarch was WWII Vet
The story of the death of Osmond family patriarch George Virl Osmond, Sr., age 90, has occupied a fair amount of space in the news this past week. In part that’s because Marie is a popular contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” right now. In part that’s because Oprah brought more than 100 of his direct descendants — children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — together for a show on Friday. But to a large degree, George Osmond’s death is news because the man led a fairly remarkable life, guiding the careers of his famous children while maintaining a tight knit and seemingly well-balanced family. There aren’t a lot of stage parents who can boast of that accomplishment.
Just simply based on the man’s age I could have guessed Osmond was a World War II vet, but it wasn’t until his daughter danced a perky quick step to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (in sequin bedecked khaki that would have made the Andrews Sisters proud) on “Dancing with the Stars” that that fact was confirmed for me. Marie described how her parents met during the war and how dancing was a part of their courtship. She dedicated her performance to her father who was watching. He died peacefully the next day.
We are reaching that stage with our World War II vets when things like proud legacies and good-byes well-spoken are important to the men and women themselves, but also to their families and friends. Mr. Osmond was granted both and while many this week have eulogized him for his contribution to an entertainment legend — his own children — let’s take a minute to pause and remember he was also a soldier who went to war as part of the Greatest Generation. I hope he and his wife are enjoying dancing together once again.
Want to look around the 451Press Neighborhood? Read this entry on WatchingRealityTV.com about week seven of “Dancing with the Stars” or check out the Valkyrie featurette on PopCultureBuzz.com.
WWII, World War II, George Osmond
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