Reba McEntire shared a heartfelt tribute to Joe Bonsall on Wednesday (July 10). The longtime member of The Oak Ridge Boys died on Tuesday (July 9) after complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He was 76.
“Joe, you were a terrific entertainer, singer, and a wonderful friend! I’ll sure miss your smiling face and your bubbly personality. I can’t wait to see you again. Love, Reba,” McEntire wrote in her caption as she shared a photo with Bonsall from the 5th ACM Honors on September 19, 2011. The event took place in the historic Ryman Auditorium in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
McEntire’s is one of many tributes to Bonsall, whose loss has been mourned by others in the country music community and fans. His family wrote in a statement shared on his account on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday that “our loss is Heaven’s gain.” They thanked others “for the prayers, words of encouragement and stories which lift our spirits and warm our hearts.”
Blake Shelton, Sara Evans, Travis Tritt and many others also took part in the outpouring of tributes to Bonsall on Tuesday. The beloved country star is survived by his wife of more than four decades, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, great grandsons Chance and Grey, and sister Nancy, per a press release issued Tuesday. The family is requesting privacy at this time. The release stated that, per Bonsall’s request, there will be no funeral and in lieu of flowers, encouraged donations to The ALS Association or the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.