Doug Oldham, a gospel singer whose career spanned five decades, died July 21. Oldham--a close friend of Liberty University founder and author Jerry Falwell, who died in 2007--was 79.

"My father and Doug Oldham were an evangelistic team who brought the gospel to nearly every home in America every Sunday morning on the Old Time Gospel Hour," said Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. "The names Jerry Falwell and Doug Oldham were synonymous as Billy Graham and George Beverly Shea. ... His passing represents the end of an era at Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University."

A two-time Dove Award winner, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Oldham, who recorded 64 albums, traveled with the Bill Gaither Trio and the Slaughters during the 1960s. He was also a performer on several of the "Gaither Homecoming" videos.

Gaither said he remembered the early days composing, traveling and performing with Oldham. "I would look at (him) own the song, deliver the song, every night, and I was amazed," he said.

Oldham is survived by his wife, Laura Lee, three daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service, which drew more than 1,000 people, was held July 26 at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va.

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