OXNARD, CA (ANS) -- Doug Oldham, Christian musician and gifted communicator of the gospel went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2010 at the University of Virginia Medical Center at 79 years of age while awaiting surgery for a recent back injury.

Tribute to Doug Oldham from www.trbc.org

Doug was known throughout America and the world as a powerful Christian communicator and prolific recording artist with 64 albums to his credit. He sang for 5 United States Presidents and also for the Rev. Billy Graham. However, many knew Doug from of his ministry with Dr. Jerry Falwell, the Thomas Road Baptist Church and the “Old Time Gospel Hour” telecast.

He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and introduced by his close friend, Bill Gaither. In 2007 the Thomas Road Baptist Church awarded Doug with the first ever Lifetime Champion Award for his years of Christian service. Liberty University also named a large remodeled facility at the Fine Arts Building, the “Oldham Recital Hall.”

Doug leaves behind his wife, Laura Lee, three daughters, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Visitation for Doug Oldham will be held on Sunday night at 7:00 PM at the Pate Chapel of the Thomas Road Baptist Church. Also, the funeral will be on Monday afternoon, July 26, 2010 at 3:00 PM in the Main Sanctuary at the Thomas Road Church.

Doug Oldham singing

By way of personal reflection, Doug was a good friend and through the years provided me guidance, counsel and inspiration to serve the Lord with passion and excellence through recording and gospel music. The personal advice he gave me when I was entering a ministry of full time Music Evangelism in 1972 was the most valuable counsel I ever received. I followed his advice throughout my millions of miles of ministry travel and service throughout the world.

Doug was a “regular” concert artist for our Saturday Night Concert Series at the old Bibletown Conference Center in Boca Raton, FL, throughout the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. How we enjoyed our many dinners together following the concert until the management of the local restaurant “invited” us to leave because they were closing.

In recent years we have seen Doug on Bill Gaither’s “Home Coming” television specials. His early musical association with Bill Gaither and his introduction of so many of Bill’s early gospel songs was the spark that helped begin the huge success for the Gaither’s music ministry.

I first heard Doug in 1960, singing “live” at 7:00 AM on a radio broadcast from the old Cadle Tabernacle from Indianapolis, IN. I worked the night shift in Springfield, OH and drove to Cedarville University every day. Doug always sang, “Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray.” Then there was a high note on the chorus that vocally required a lot, so from time to time Doug would clear his voice before the high note. . . .”Oh how praying rests the (clear throat & slight cough) weary.” I always listened to see if he would make the high note at 7:00 AM. Somehow he always did!

Heaven is richer and Doug has now joined a multitude of amazing gospel musicians and preachers who have now gone on before. There will surely be a duet with his dad, the Rev. Dale Oldham. His father was of course a powerful preacher and teacher, associated with the Church of God, Anderson, IN. Also, a lot of fellowship and stories with his pastor, Dr. Jerry Falwell. Then we will all join the ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels, singing “Worthy Is the Lamb.”
Doug. . ..we will sing with you and the angels on the other side.

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