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, and his mother, Mattie Frazier Walker, affectionately known to everyone she loved as "Mama Ludie," raised him and his siblings with unwavering strength and love—Minnie Lee, Charles Tillman, John Preston Scott, and Lilla Mae Giles Jamison. Growing up in a close-knit family, he loved his siblings dearly, and they remained a cherished part of his life throughout his years. 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.

From an early age, he understood the power of entrepreneurship. His very first venture began alongside his brother John Preston — lovingly called "J.P." — when the two young dreamers launched Uncle Buck's Watermelon Stand. It was more than a childhood project; it was an early sign of the vision, hustle, and partnership that would define his life.

He graduated from Coleman High School in 1958 and went on to Southern University, where he earned his degree in Sociology in 1963. 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. His radio career began in Houston, Texas at KCOH Radio, where he earned the on-air name "Dr. Jazzmo," inspired by a legendary announcer at KCOH who came before him in the 1950s and early 1960s—a voice and spirit that profoundly influenced him. Later, he would adopt the name "Dr. Daddio," also inspired by a Houston disc jockey whose artistry and presence left an indelible mark on his broadcasting identity. In his early career, he worked as a radio announcer in Shreveport, Houston, and Tucson, 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 1510 KDKO Radio-AM. 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 the next thirteen years, he fulfilled several roles at the station, including sales manager, operations manager, program director, and on-air personality.

In 1980, Dr. Daddio moved to Tucson, Arizona to purchase KFOX AM and FM Radio, and in 1984 he sold KFOX, and moved back to Denver with the singular goal of owning KDKO one day. 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. The word "Power" was added to the station's name later, becoming Power 1510 KDKO Radio. Power 1510 KDKO Radio 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.

After selling KDKO Radio in 2002, Denver's Five Points community grieved as if the heartbeat of their neighborhood had ceased—a profound silence where Dr. Daddio's voice had once been the steady pulse that kept their soul alive. Many assumed Dr. Daddio would finally slow down and savor a well-earned retirement. But the music and the people were still calling. He returned to the airwaves at KUVO, bringing The House Party back to life every Saturday night for all who needed their weekly dose of joy, rhythm, and community. Years later, he added yet another chapter to his broadcasting legacy, joining AM-760 Progressive Talk Radio with Talkin' with Dr. Daddio, where his voice continued to inform, uplift, and connect listeners across the city.

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.

Beyond his pioneering work in radio, Dr. Daddio was a serial entrepreneur whose business acumen and vision extended far beyond the broadcast booth. He owned and operated numerous enterprises that reflected his commitment to economic empowerment and community development. His business portfolio included an advertising agency, a mortuary, a carwash, landscaping services, a waterbed store, People's Wireless, Dr. Daddio's Record Rack, Dr. Daddio's Showcase of Stars, Dr. Daddio's Blues Club, J&P Ent. and Promotions, JW Asphalt, Walker Water Co, Pat's Tax Services, and the legendary Pat's Record Parlor, all of which he co-owned with his wife, Pat. Among his most beloved ventures was Dr. Daddio's Kitchen on Wheels, which served the finest barbecue this side of the Rockies—a testament to his belief that excellence and soul could be infused into every endeavor. Each business was more than a commercial enterprise; it was an extension of his mission to create opportunities, generate wealth, and demonstrate that Black entrepreneurship could thrive and flourish in Denver.

Later in his career, Dr. Daddio went on to found Fair Share Jobs, an organization created to provide employment opportunities for Black Coloradans, extending his commitment to economic empowerment and community development. 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. Mama Ludie 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 siblings—Minnie Lee Dawson, Charles Tillman, John Preston Scott, and Lilla Mae Giles Jamison—were more than family; they were his closest confidants, his dearest friends, and his greatest supporters through every triumph and trial. He loved them all very dearly, and these bonds of siblinghood were woven into the very fabric of his being, a source of strength and joy throughout his life.

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. Pat was the heart behind the man. She was the quiet strength that sustained him, the steady hand that guided him, and the unconditional love that anchored his soul. While he was the voice that moved the community, she was the heartbeat that moved him. 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, two souls intertwined in purpose and devotion. Beyond their life together in Denver, Dr. Daddio and Pat were loyal members of Ebenezer Baptist Church under the spiritual leadership of Reverend Dr. DeWayne Moore. They were also proud members of NAARVA (the National African American RVers Association) under the Rocky Mountain Rollers Chapter, sharing a passion for fishing and RVing that allowed them to explore the beauty of this great nation together. When Pat ascended to glory in 2018, she left behind a legacy of love that continued to sustain him through his final years. Though she departed this earthly realm, her spirit remained woven into every breath he took.

Dr. Daddio was the epitome of a family man. He leaves behind five children—Machelle (Ade), Yolanda, James Jr. ("Ricky"), Michael (Jennifer), and Jasmine—each carrying forward his legacy of love. His seven grandchildren—Lindsay (De'Qaiun), Alexis (Tyler), Halle (Josh), Tobi ("Aryanna"), Tori, Allen James ("J.J.") (Alani), and Harris—represent the continuation of his vision and values. His five great-grandchildren—Xavier James, Joshua Jr., Levi, Naomi, and Aselah—are a testament to God's glory and the eternal cycle of life. Aselah, who arrived just six days after Dr. Daddio received his angel wings, stands as a profound reminder of Scripture: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). With the going of one life comes the birth of new life, a sacred rhythm orchestrated by the hand of the Almighty.

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 the unshakeable belief that every human being possesses infinite potential to create change, uplift others, and leave the world better than they found it.