Obituary

Early Years: The Foundation of a Dream

Born on April 24, 1939, in Ada-Taylor, Louisiana, James Frederick Walker, Sr., entered a world that would shape his character and destiny. His father, Batie Walker, passed before he was born, leaving his mother, Ludie Frazier Walker, to raise him and his older siblings, Minnie Lee and C.T. As a child, he worked alongside his mother tending to the family farm, learning the values of hard work, dedication, and service that would define his entire life. He graduated from Coleman High School in 1958 and went on to Southern University, where he earned his degree in Sociology in 1962. During his college years, he discovered his passion for music and rhythm, playing the drums in Southern University's band—a passion that would later shape his legendary career in radio.

A Life of Purpose and Determination

After college, James Walker's career path reflected his versatility and unwavering commitment to service. Throughout the 1960s, he worked as a radio announcer in Shreveport, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Jackson, and Houston, building experience and connections that would shape his future. In 1967, he made the pivotal decision to move to Denver, carrying with him big dreams of one day owning a radio station. He arrived in a city that would become his home and the center of his life's work, determined to break through barriers that had closed the doors of the radio industry to Black broadcasters.

Breaking Barriers and Building Dreams

"I came to Denver broke as a goat, loose as a goose, and ready for anything that don't cost money!"

Shortly after arriving in Denver, Dr. Daddio began working at Power 1510 KDKO Radio. For the next eighteen years, he fulfilled several roles at the station, including sales manager, operations manager, program director, and on-air personality. He approached the station's ownership with a revolutionary idea: what if they introduced rhythm and blues to Denver's airwaves? His vision proved persuasive, and he transformed the station's programming, proving that soul and R&B could not only succeed on Denver radio but could appeal to audiences across racial lines, fundamentally transforming the city's musical landscape.

For nearly two decades, Walker worked with singular focus toward a dream: to own KDKO himself. Through determination and vision, he achieved this goal in 1989, making him the first Black person west of the Mississippi to independently own a radio station. Upon his purchase of KDKO, the station's motto became "Unity in the Community"—a motto that has been the guiding principle of his life. KDKO AM 1510 became known as "The Soul of the Rockies," a name that captured both the station's musical identity and its role as the voice of Denver's Black community from 1989 to 2002.

Dr. Daddio's greatest career accomplishment, as he himself has stated, has been helping his community and educating and training other Black radio personalities.

"A visionary voice in media, he used radio to uplift culture, amplify community voices, and mentor generations of broadcasters and leaders."

Revitalizing Community and Culture

In the 1980s, when Denver's historic Five Points neighborhood—once known as "the Harlem of the West"—faced economic and social challenges, Walker made a bold decision. He relocated KDKO from Englewood to the heart of Five Points, signaling his commitment to the community's revival. This wasn't merely a business decision; it was a statement of faith in the neighborhood's potential and a concrete investment in its future. Walker believed in challenging the narrative of decline and negativism that often surrounded the area, choosing instead to be a force for positive change and cultural energy.

Beyond the station, Walker's fingerprints were everywhere in Denver's cultural landscape. For over fifty years, he guided the radio careers of Colorado's favorite personalities and popularized R&B music in Denver. He championed legendary artists from every era—from the timeless voices of James Brown, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, and Donny Hathaway to the contemporary icons of today including Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige—bringing world-class talent and diverse musical excellence to Denver audiences. He founded Denver's first Juneteenth celebration in Montbello, creating a tradition that continues to this day. He mentored countless Denver Public Schools students, opening doors to careers in broadcasting and media. His philosophy was simple but powerful: success comes to those who believe in themselves and refuse to be limited by others' doubts or prejudices.

In 2008, his contributions were formally recognized when he was inducted into the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame, a testament to his profound impact on the state's cultural and economic landscape. In 2022, Dr. Daddio published his autobiography, "Radio in My Soul: The Journey of James 'Dr. Daddio' Walker," sharing his remarkable story with the world. In 2023, at an age when many would rest, he founded the Colorado Black Authors Guild (CBAG) to provide aspiring writers with resources to publish their own stories, continuing his mission to lift up and empower others. Dr. Daddio is and will always be a pioneer and legend, not just in the radio industry, but in the fight for civil rights and the advancement of our community.

A Legacy of Faith, Strength, and Wisdom

The Walker family describes his life as profound, purposeful, and deeply impactful. He was the legendary voice that carried listeners through sunshine and rain, through long drives home and quiet moments of reflection. He touched generations, shaped lives, and leaves behind a legacy rooted in faith, strength, and wisdom. His life mission—"Unity in the Community"—was not merely a slogan but a lived reality, demonstrated through decades of service, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in the power of community and culture to transform lives.

The Foundation of His Soul

At the heart of Dr. Daddio's remarkable journey stood the unshakeable foundation of his family. His mother, Ludie Walker, was the bedrock upon which his character was built—the wellspring of his strength, his compassion, and his unwavering faith. She was the most profound influence in his life, instilling in him the values that would guide every decision he made. His sister, Minnie Lee Dawson, was more than family; she was his closest confidant, his dearest friend, and his greatest supporter through every triumph and trial. His brother, C.T., was a profound influence whose presence and character molded the very essence of the man he would become—a testament to the unbreakable bonds of kinship that defined his soul.

The love of his life was his childhood sweetheart, Pat Walker. Together, they shared sixty beautiful years—six decades of partnership, devotion, and shared purpose. Their bond was a testament to the power of love and commitment, a living example of what it means to walk through life hand in hand. When Pat ascended to glory in 2018, she left behind a legacy of love that continued to sustain him through his final years.

Dr. Daddio was the epitome of a family man. He leaves behind five children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren—each one a precious reflection of the love, wisdom, and values he poured into his family. Beyond his immediate family, he leaves behind a vast extended family, friends who became family, and countless loved ones whose lives were forever enriched by knowing him. His impact rippled through generations, touching not just those connected by blood, but all those whose lives he touched through his work, his mentorship, and his unwavering commitment to community. The legacy he leaves is not measured in years, but in the lives transformed, the barriers broken, and the endless possibilities he opened for those who came after him. He was a beacon of hope, a voice for the voiceless, and a living testament to the power of faith, determination, and unwavering belief in the potential of every human being.