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| Craig Walker (1946-2026) |
Craig Walker, a longtime favorite of generations of Portland radio and television listeners and one of the city’s most popular on-air personalities, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at his home. He was 80.
Walker died peacefully, according to longtime broadcaster and former colleague John Erickson, who worked with him at K103. K103 Portland announced the news in a social media post and said it would honor Walker’s legacy Monday, July 27, during K103 Mornings with Stacey and Mike.
From the early 1970s through his 2005 retirement, Walker was a familiar, genial presence whose market-leading morning shows and community appearances earned him legions of loyal fans. He first built a top-rated morning drive program on what was then KGW radio (620 AM), where he began in 1972 after earlier stints at stations including KPAM. In 1986 he moved to K103 (KKCW-FM), continuing to dominate the morning ratings until he signed off for the final time. He was also a longtime primetime host on KGW-TV for the evening programs PM Magazine and Good Evening.
Known for his signature red sweaters, easy style, and warm connection with listeners, Walker’s voice became the one countless Portlanders woke up to for decades. He turned down offers from larger markets so he and his family could remain near relatives in the Portland area.
Walker openly shared personal milestones and struggles with his audience, including his long marriage to wife Barbara (whom he had known since sixth grade), family joys and losses, and his own health challenges. Diagnosed with a rare liver disease, he received a life-saving transplant in 1993 after publicly waiting for a donor. He later used his platform to advocate for organ transplantation and raise awareness about diabetes, bone cancer, and breast cancer.
His daughter Karen died of cancer in 2016; he is survived by Barbara, their son Craig, and six grandchildren.