Morning Man Mourned
Popular morning radio personality Kidd Kraddick dies
UPDATE: Kraddick died of cardiac disease, according to autopsy results released on 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 morning 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.
One of his last updates on his Facebook page exhibited his trademark mischief. He posted a photo of a sign from a store that said, "Ladies Dress Shoes, $1 per shoe or $2 per pair," and asked, "Does this store attract a lot of amputees? I can't come up with another explanation."
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.
Imagine a getaway to this Hill Country paradise. Photo courtesy of Vrbo
