Founding member of the Gap Band and R&B singer Charlie Wilson’s brother Ronnie Wilson has died at the age of 73. The singer and musician was surrounded by his family as he passed away Tuesday morning.

Ronnie’s wife, Linda Boulware-Wilson, tells TMZ … he died at 10:01 AM Tuesday at his home in Tulsa, OK. He died peacefully as Linda held his hand when he took his last breath.

Linda says Ronnie suffered a stroke last week, which put him into a semi-coma and he never recovered. She shared that Ronnie suffered several strokes throughout the years.

In a Facebook post, Linda remembered her late husband as a “genius with creating, producing and playing the flugelhorn, trumpet, keyboards and singing music.”

The R&B trio, who came out of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1979, had a massive success in the industry. The group put out songs like “Shake,” “You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Yearning For Your Love,” “Outstanding,” “Party Train,” “Humpin’,” “Early In The Morning,” “Oops Upside Your Head,” and so many other hits.

Ronnie Wilson is preceded in death by his brother Robert who passed away in 2010 of a heart attack at age 53.

Ronnie was an amazing keyboardist and songwriter. Although he’s no longer here, his music will live on forever.

Check out one of the Gap Band’s most popular single to date called “Burn Rubber On Me.”