Radio personality Kidd Kraddick dies in New Orleans

Multiple sources have confirmed to WFAA that radio and TV personality Kidd Kraddick has died.

He passed away in New Orleans Saturday at a fundraising event for his Kidd's Kids charity organization at Timberlane County Club in Gretna, Louisiana.

Local law enforcement confirmed that Kraddick was taken to West Jefferson Medical Center in New Orleans on Saturday.

A staple of North Texas radio since 1984, he broadcast his nationally syndicated "Kidd Kraddick in the Morning" radio show from a studio at Las Colinas. It aired locally on KISS-FM 106.1.

"All of us at KISS-FM, Clear Channel Dallas, YEA Networks and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader," a statement from Clear Channel Dallas said late Saturday night. "He died doing what he loved, and his final day was spent selflessly focused on those special children that meant the world to him."

Kraddick was 53. The cause of his death was not released. Clear Channel said that information will be made available "at the appropriate time."

Kraddick's family issued a brief statement asking that their privacy be respected in their mourning period.

KISS-FM altered its usual format late Saturday to celebrate Kraddick's life by playing music and taking calls from listeners.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," one caller said. "He's a part of everybody's family; he makes people laugh."

In a bitterly ironic twist, Kraddick did a radio segment just last week on "what he would say to each member of the show in his final moments on earth" as a comedy bit.

"Have you ever thought about those last moments of your life?" he asked his radio crew. "Nobody wants a long, lingering illness; nobody wants just that; but it would be nice if you could have a day or two where you know it's coming."

He then spent several minutes saying goodbye to each member of his on-air staff.

"When I die, you have permission to take a bunch of creepy pictures of my body," Kraddick said. "I want to thank all of you guys for being at my deathbed today. I'm going to miss you so much."

The final message posted on his official Twitter account was a promotion for his Kidd's Kids charity concert at the House of Blues on August 15. The proceeds will be used to send children with chronic or terminal ilnesses to Disney World.

The news of Kraddick's death was greeted with disbelief on social media.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban offered his condolences: "You were an amazing man and a friend," he wrote. "You are already missed."

Regular fans were saddened as well. "I have listened to Kidd for the last 25 years," wrote Jackie Small Brown on Facebook. "Morning radio will never be the same again."

"Seems like I've just lost a friend, " Holli younger said on Twitter.

And Tucker McLendon tweeted: "I think Monday all radio stations should have a moment of silence for Kidd."

Kraddick was divorced and has one daughter. He won a number of awards, including the Marconi Award for radio personality of the year in 2006.