Doug Oldham was a renowned gospel singer who performed for more than 60 years and recorded over 60 albums. He was a ministry partner of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell and a regular soloist at Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University. He was also a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a recipient of several awards. But how did Doug Oldham die? Here is what we know about his cause of death and his legacy.
A Tragic Fall
According to his daughter Rebekah Oldham Cox, Doug Oldham fell and broke his back on July 10, 2010. He was taken to a hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he waited for almost a week to be transferred to the University of Virginia hospital for surgery. However, he never made it to the operating room. He died on July 21, 2010, at the age of 79, due to complications from his injury. His family and friends were devastated by his sudden and unexpected passing.
A Musical Career
Doug Oldham was born on November 30, 1930, in Indiana. He was the son of Dr. Dale Oldham, a minister in the Church of God, and the grandson of another clergyman. He nearly died from pneumonia as a child, but he recovered and developed a passion for music. He started singing on the radio at the age of 15 and later joined Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians as a member of the Glory Voices Quartet. He also sang on the Christian Brotherhood Hour and the Cadle Tabernacle broadcast.
In 1955, he was ordained as a minister of music and served in several churches. In 1963, he began traveling and performing as an evangelist through music. He sang at citywide preaching missions, camp meetings, youth conventions, and concerts across the US and abroad. He was the first to perform “He Touched Me”, a song written by his colleague Bill Gaither. He also sang on The Old Time Gospel Hour with Jerry Falwell, The PTL Club with Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, and several of Gaither’s Homecoming videos. He recorded more than 60 albums and wrote three books with his wife Laura Lee, whom he married in 1951. They had three daughters, Paula, Karen, and DeeDee.
A Lasting Legacy
Doug Oldham was a beloved and influential figure in the gospel music industry and the Christian community. He was known for his resonant voice, his vibrant spirit, and his authentic faith. He touched many lives with his songs, which often reflected his personal trials and triumphs. Some of his most popular songs include “Something Worth Living For”, “Thanks to Calvary (We Don’t Live Here Anymore)”, and “I’ve Got Confidence”. He won two Dove Awards, an Angel Award, and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He also received an honorary doctorate degree and was named an Honorary Colonel of Alabama. In 2007, Liberty University named a campus recital hall and a scholarship fund in his honor.
Doug Oldham’s cause of death was tragic, but his life was a testimony of God’s grace and power. He left behind a rich musical legacy and a loving family. He will be remembered as a gospel singer who touched millions of hearts with his voice and his message. As he once sang, “I’ve got a song that the angels can’t sing, I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.”
