Tom Osmond | |
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Born |
Thomas Rulon Osmond October 26, 1947 Ogden, Utah, United States |
Residence | Ephraim, Utah |
Nationality | American |
Known for | One of the first deaf missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Older brother to The Osmonds |
Spouse(s) | Lyn Heslop (m. 1979-1989) Carolyn Olsen (m. 1989-present) |
Children | 9 |
Thomas Rulon Osmond (born October 26, 1947) is a mostly non-performing member of the Osmond family.
Osmond was born in Ogden, Utah to Olive May (née Davis; May 4, 1925 – May 9, 2004) and George Virl Osmond (October 13, 1917 – November 6, 2007). The second of nine children, he has one older brother, George Virl Osmond Jr., and seven younger siblings: Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie and Jimmy. All of his younger siblings have been professional musicians since childhood.
Tom and Virl were both born with severe hearing impairment. Their younger brothers originally conceived the musical group in part to support Tom and Virl in purchasing hearing aids. Tom and Virl eventually learned how to play several instruments and in later years made occasional appearances with their brothers and sister, most notably the Christmas specials from the 70s and early 80s. Both brothers became the inspiration for the Children's Miracle Network. Tom has gained some hearing through medical treatment.
Tom and Virl were also the first deaf missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Tom married Lyn Heslop on January 13, 1972. They had five children together, including one who died as an infant, and divorced in 1989. Tom worked for the United States Postal Service for 28 years before retiring in 2014. He resides with his second wife Carolyn in Ephraim, Utah.