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Monika Diaz reports.

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DALLAS - Thousands of listeners, who tune in every morning to get their daily dose of inspiration and spirituality from a popular radio voice, discovered this morning that he was gone.

Gospel legend, Joe Bagby, the man known as the spiritual heartbeat of Dallas' black churches, died Friday morning.

It was a day of mourning at Heaven 97.

KHVN news director, Robert Ashley, hit the airwaves to pay tribute to his friend and colleague - a Dallas gospel legend.

"Brother Joe was considered to be the Godfather of gospel music," Ashley said.

The familiar wake-up call on Dallas radio for more than 55 years went silent Friday morning.

"That's one of the things that we will miss most - Joe's unconditional love for us," Ashley said.

Bagby died at the hospital after a long fight against a pulmonary disease, an illness that didn't stop him from reaching out to his listeners.

His last broadcast was less than 24 hours before he died.

"He had a commitment and a love for God that was just beyond reproach," said Ashley.

Bagby became interested in gospel radio as a teenager but he gave his fans more than just music.

He built a special bond with them by offering spiritual advice, support and hope.

Many of them called in to pay their respects on Friday.

"He made an impact... and I am going to miss him," said one listener.

Bagby was 70 years old and he once told us that age wouldn't keep him away from the microphone.

"I know that I am going to die sooner or later, so I am going to be faithful until death," he said in 2006.

Even in death, his voice carries on.

"In the minds and spirits of people, his voice and his life will live on forever," Ashley said.

A memorial service for Bagby will be held at the Golden Gate Church of God in Christ, 4801 Wilbarger Street, Fort Worth, TX 76119 (Tel: 817-536–9123) on May 13th at 7 p.m.

A Dallas memorial service is to be announced.

E-mail mdiaz@wfaa.com.