The dark and rainy weather outside reflected the atmosphere inside of Maddux Fuqua Hinton Funeral Home this morning, where services were held for the late Dave Ralston.

Ralston was an Early Bird Show co-host for eight and a half years, captivating listeners with his genuinely kind personality which translated perfectly over the airwaves.

The funeral home chapel was nearly full of members of the community who wanted to pay their final respects to the man who came into the world on August 28^th, 1938 as David Lee Ralston—but known to the world as “Dave.”

One of Ralston’s closest friends, WHOP Sports Director Todd Hamilton, talked about Dave’s courageous and final battle with cancer.

Hamilton recalled stories on the golf course with Dave and retold stories heard many times about the experiences Ralston had at radio stations across the country over his illustrious broadcasting career.

Officiating the funeral was Fairview Tabernacle United Methodist Church pastor Gale Webb, who said it was her third funeral attended in the last week and a half, where cancer claimed a life.

Pastor Webb says cancer can claim a physical body, but the soul and memory of a person lives forever.

Ralston is survived by his daughter, Darla Jean Ralston Boulay of Orlando, Florida, his brother retired Air Force General Joe Ralston of Alaska and his sister Margaret Taylor of Fairview.

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11/28/2011/am