Pictured shown is Doug and Laura Lee Oldham
His solo voice was rich and deep as was the manner of his welcome of friends to his home, his dinner table or a concert hall. Often he approached his concert audiences by starting down the aisle from the back of the auditorium, his deep voice and mellow tone engaging and inviting them to share an evening of serious thought and joyous celebration-not engendered by a stage performance, but by a shared experience of worship and praise...and the celebration of God's abundant blessing.
Doug Oldham, gospel music icon and long-time friend of Bill and Gloria Gaither, passed away during the early morning hours of July 21, 2010 at the age of 79, Doug's health had declined in recent years, and his most recent fall, several days before his death, resulted in a broken spine for which he was awaiting surgery when he passed away.
Bill fondly recalls some of many great memories of Doug:
"Gloria and I have no better friends than Doug and Laura Lee Oldham. Our history goes back so far, time cannot permit all the stories and wonderful memories we have of our friendship as well as our working relationship. Doug was one of the first professional singers to ever sing our songs and, in reality, he took our songs to the world. He was the first person ever to sing 'He Touched Me' the week after I wrote it. Shortly after he debuted the song publicly, he became the first artist ever to record it. We will always appreciate his belief in us and in our music.
During the 1960s the Bill Gaither Trio traveled with the Slaughters and Doug Oldham. We sang together for several years as a 'package deal'. Those were great years. I just can't say enough wonderful things about his life and his music. I am so grateful for the chance to have known him..
I'm also very proud of his family. His children, Rebekah (whom we call DeeDee), Karen and Paula, are great kids who reflect the kind of life Doug and Laura Lee have lived behind the scenes. We will surely miss him. Our hearts go out to Laura Lee and the family. We know what a huge gap his passing leaves in the Oldham household.
Widely known, not only as a great singer, but also a compelling communicator, Doug's resonant voice and vibrant spirit moved people at a very personal level. He possessed that rare balance between polished professionalism and authenticity...and the world couldn't help but respond.
He recorded at least 65 albums during his five-decade career, and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He was the recipient of two GMA Dove Awards, an Angel Award, a gold album, an Honorary Doctorate, and was named an Honorary Colonel of Alabama. In 2007, Liberty University named a recital hall after him and set up a scholarship fund in his honor at the Center for Worship.
Doug's music will live on through his many treasured recordings, and his life continues to shine through the legacy he leaves. But he will be missed."
Doug's home-going service was held on August 1 in Oldham's hometown. Gloria recounts some poignant moments from the service of celebration:
Finally free from this old body he has struggled with so long, "Thanks to Calvary, I don't live here anymore" took on a whole new meaning. Doug had planned the service and given the envelope with his wishes to Jonathan Falwell some time ago. Songs he wanted included were "He Touched Me," "Through It All," "Because He Lives" and "Something Beautiful." Doug had called Bill about a year ago for a track to the song, "Next Time We Meet" and he had recorded that song with a montage of pictures of Doug with his family, his grandkids and friends from over the years; this was shown toward the end of the service. An invitation was given, and Jonathan asked all who did not know the Lord to pray with him a prayer inviting Jesus into their lives. Doug would have liked that.
Doug and Laura Lee have been a big part of our lives. It is a chapter that will not close.
Doug Oldham's professional career was marked by songs which told, in simple language, the very personal stories of his own life-feast, failure, famine, recovery, and limitless redemption. A personal openness and gracious manner made his ministry doubly effective. He was someone folks felt they knew, could relate to, wanted to embrace or just plain hug! His life is a testimony to the fact that all of us long for the purpose and meaning that can be found only through relationship with Jesus Christ-and that one very vital connection to that coveted kind of victorious living can come to us in the context of a song.
