Morning Man Mourned
Popular Dallas radio personality Kidd Kraddick dies
UPDATE: Kraddick died of cardiac disease, according to autopsy results released July 29 by the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office. Investigator Tommy Evans told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that "heart disease was evident."
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David "Kidd" Kraddick, 53, longtime Dallas radio personality, died on Saturday in New Orleans while attending a charity event. KHKS 106.1 FM in Dallas-Fort Worth confirmed his death, and YEA Networks, his parent company, issued a statement on Saturday night:
All of us with YEA Networks and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader. Kidd devoted his life to making people smile every morning, and for 21 years his foundation has been dedicated to bringing joy to thousands of chronically and terminally ill children.
Kraddick was best known as the impish morning host on KISS-FM, along with cast members Kellie Rasberry and "Big Al" Mack. In 2001, his Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show became syndicated to more than 75 cities in the United States.
On his show last week, he did a routine on death, sharing what he'd say to his co-hosts in his final moments on Earth.
"When I die, you have permission to take a bunch of creepy pictures of my body," he said. "I want to thank all of you guys for being at my deathbed today. I'm going to miss you so much."
Kraddick was equally well-known for the extensive charity work he did for children with special needs. At the time of his death, he was in New Orleans to raise funds for "Kidd's Kids," his organization that raised funds to send children suffering from a terminal or chronic illness to Disney World.
WWLT-TV in New Orleans reported that Kraddick hosted a charity golf tournament at Timberlane Country Club in Gretna and was taken to a local hospital. One theory about the source that quickly circulated online was a possible brain aneurysm.
His Kraddick Foundation created a number of programs and events to benefit children. The latest event scheduled in Dallas was a "Concert for Kidd's Kids" starring the Jonas Brothers on August 15.
"The sad sad news about Kidd Kraddick is shocking," Joe Jonas tweeted. "He will be missed greatly."
The news of Kraddick's death was first broken by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who tweeted, "RIP Kidd Kraddick. You were an amazing man and a friend. You are already missed."
Kraddick was divorced from his wife, Carol, and had a daughter, Caroline, who was frequently featured on his show.
