The signal of unity that Dr. Daddio carried through Denver’s airwaves still echoes today. Though his microphone was silenced two decades ago, his commitment to truth, soul, and community continues to reach far beyond the airwaves. James F. Walker, Sr., a Denver radio station owner and beloved broadcaster, passed away on January 26, 2026, at the age of 86.

Known to listeners as “Dr. Daddio,” Walker arrived in Denver in 1966, determined to build a career in broadcasting—and his timing couldn’t have been better. That determination found its home at KDKO AM 1510 (KDKO), licensed to Littleton, CO. During that pivotal era, a Black radio engineer and disc jockey, Cosmo Harris, had just transitioned KDKO from a country to a soul music format, opening new doors for connection and cultural expression. Walker held numerous positions at the station, beginning as a media personality (or disc jockey), before becoming the owner in 1989.

Under his leadership, he moved the broadcasting studio from the south metro area to the heart of the historic Five Points neighborhood overlooking Welton St. and later to northeast Denver.

Walker knew radio was more than music or talk—it functioned as a necessary link. KDKO gave people a place to speak their truth and, just as importantly, informed the community of opportunities while also creating opportunities for new and seasoned broadcasters, engineers, news, and sales personnel to hone their skills. For him, “unity in the community” meant engagement, not conformity.

Unapologetically opinionated, Dr. Daddio bared his soul on air, never fearing controversy. Honesty wasn’t just policy—it was devotion. Listeners fondly remember evening drive time, when he shared his love for the blues. The music slowed the city, soothed the spirit, and reflected the souls of both the station and its owner.

Under his leadership, KDKO operated for 13 years as a central platform for Denver’s Black community, broadcasting music—not just the top 10 Billboard hits, but also songs from the past and emerging artists of the future—alongside news and vital conversations that reflected and elevated community voices. When controversy arose, and Walker felt that the Juneteenth celebrations in Five Points no longer reflected the spirit he believed in, he didn’t step back. Instead, embodying his belief in engagement over disengagement, he launched new Juneteenth celebrations in the Montbello neighborhood, ensuring the history and joy of emancipation remained accessible and true to the community—all before KDKO went dark in 2002.

“An entrepreneur at heart, Walker stayed busy after his time at KDKO by launching a variety of projects. He balanced business moves in the restaurant and distribution industries with his passion for travel and community involvement. Serving as an ordained deacon further deepened his ties to the community before he eventually found his voice as a writer.

In 2022, Walker co-authored Radio In My Soul, a tribute to his journey. His experience writing the memoir motivated him to launch the Colorado Black Authors Guild in 2023—a platform for other Black authors to share their voices, showcase their books, and preserve their history. It is yet another example of his singular, urgent purpose: Unity in the Community.”

James F. ‘Dr. Daddio’ Walker, Sr. was more than a radio station owner—he carried a signal that empowered others to be heard and shaped a generation of listeners. Though KDKO 1510 AM has been shuttered for over twenty years, its signal remains in memory, music, and legacy. As the community laments his passing and celebrates his life, Denver Weekly News offers heartfelt condolences to the Walker family and friends, as well as to the many listeners who tuned in to KDKO 1510 AM.  

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