David (Dave) H "Dave" Moran

David (Dave) H. Moran, age 81, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy as vibrant and inspiring as the voice that carried him through 64 years in the radio industry.

Born on August 5, 1943, Dave's journey began in Salem, Virginia, where he graduated from Andrew Lewis High School. He worked his way through college and earned his degree from Lynchburg College in 1965. His career in radio began humbly as a janitor, but his passion and talent propelled him forward. At just 15 years old, he became a deejay in the Roanoke Valley with WBLU and WROV. Over the decades, he would go on to own and operate six radio stations across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He retired in 2022 after more than six decades on the air.

Dave had a gift for storytelling and a knack for unforgettable experiences. He created and produced Hawaiian Tropic Beach Patrol, heard weekly in the 1970s on almost one hundred radio stations, and met and interviewed legends like James Brown, Loretta Lynn, Colonel Sanders, Johnny Carson, and more. He even hosted Tom Jones at his 21st birthday party, and once rode drag in an authentic Wyoming cattle drive.

A lifelong adventurer, Dave bought his first boat at 17 and later earned his 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain's license. He proudly captained the Virginia Dare at Smith Mountain Lake and was an active member of the Smith Mountain Lake Water Safety Council. He also served his community through the Salem Rescue Squad, the U.S. Army Reserve, and the American Legion Post at Smith Mountain Lake.

Dave was a man of many talents-a wedding officiant who married 35 couples, a member of the Parrot Pan Steel Band (though he jokingly admitted to "air panning"), and a songwriter who continued to write music until his final days. His adventurous spirit survived malaria-and even a gunshot wound to the head.

Despite his many accomplishments, Dave's greatest pride was his family. He was married to the love of his life, Sharon, for fifty-one wonderful years. Together, they raised two children, Peter Moran and Jessica McClung, who is married to Tim McClung, and were blessed with four cherished grandchildren: Jason, Andrew, Emily, and Katie Grace. Dave also cherished his extended family members and the time he was able to spend with them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Mildred Moran; his brother, Dick Moran; and his mother-in-law, Edith Mann.

Above all else, Dave was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He accepted Christ at the age of eleven and lived a life marked by faith, kindness, and joy. He was a member of Eastlake Community Church at Smith Mountain Lake and First Christian Church in Salem, where he nurtured his faith and friendships.

Dave Moran lived a life full of passion, purpose, and laughter- a true original whose voice, both on and off the air, made a lasting impact. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege to know him.

In celebration of his life, services will be held on his birthday, August 5, 2025, at First Christian Church, located at 712 Front Ave. in Salem, VA. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. A luncheon will be held immediately afterward for anyone who would like to stay, share a meal, and swap their favorite "Dave stories."

Dave gave often and anonymously, never seeking credit for the lives he touched, preferring to let his kindness speak louder than his name. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Dave's memory by doing something kind for someone-especially anonymously. Whether it is a heartfelt gesture or a monetary gift, quietly lifting someone's burden would mean more to him than words could ever say.