Kidd Kraddick Dead At 53: Popular Dallas Radio Personality Dies Suddenly, Brain Aneurysm Suspected
Radio personality David "Kidd" Kraddick died from an apparent brain aneuriym Saturday in New Orleans. He was 53.
The Dallas radio host was in New Orleans for a charity golf tournament for his Kidd's Kids Foundation. Kidd's Kids is a non-profit organization that sponsors trips to Disney World for children between the ages of five and twelve who have special medical needs. KISS-FM, the Clear Channel station where his show takes place, said that "his final day was spent selflessly focused on the special children that meant the world to him."
"Kidd's dream was to gather families together going through the enormous struggle of having a child with special medical needs and treat them to a fantasy-filled vacation," according to the foundation's site.
Kraddick's death was sudden, as he did not have a long history of medical problems. He was even seen early Saturday preparing for the tournament.
"He came out and he borrowed my golf clubs and went out to the driving range," golf professional Richie Tomblin told the Associated Press. "It's kind of a freaky situation. He came out. He practiced a little bit. He hit the ball at the first tee and wasn't feeling good and after that I didn't see him."
Kraddick started working in Dallas as a late-night radio show host in 1984. Since then, he expanded his reach, with the now syndicated "Kidd Kraddick in the Morning" show broadcast to about 100 cities. He also can be seen on the television show Dish Nation, where he and his colleagues discuss pop culture.
The host is said to have died from a brain aneurysm, which is a weak spot on a blood vessel that can cause outward bulging and, eventually, rupture. His official cause of death has not been confirmed.
As news of his death came in Saturday night, friends and colleagues took to social media to pay tribute. Here are just a few of the kind words that people expressed in the wake of Kraddick's untimely death:
"Twentieth Television and the team at Dish Nation are heartbroken and deeply saddened by the loss of a great talent and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his longtime radio crew during this very difficult time." – Dish Nation, television show
"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." – YEA Networks
"Oh man, I just heard Kidd Kraddick died! He's my childhood DJ. What a sad day. His poor family. He was always nice to me from the beginning." – Kelly Clarkson
"The sad sad news about Kidd Kraddick is shocking. He will be missed greatly." – Joe Jonas