John Walton of Houston-based radio show 'Walton and Johnson' dies

John Walton (left) and Steve Johnson (right) John Walton (left) and Steve Johnson (right) Photo: Facebook/Courtesy Of Walton And Johnson Show Photo: Facebook/Courtesy Of Walton And Johnson Show Image 1 of / 101 Caption Close John Walton of Houston-based radio show 'Walton and Johnson' dies 1 / 101 Back to Gallery

John Walton of the regionally syndicated, Houston-based radio show “Walton and Johnson” died late Monday after suffering from numerous medical issues, according to an announcement from his co-host Steve Johnson.

Walton had been receiving treatment over the last month but continued to suffer, according to Johnson’s message to fans. He returned home Monday and spent his final hours with his family. He died at 11:55 p.m.

“He went out on his own terms,” Johnson wrote on the KPRC AM 950 website. “I will always cherish John as not only a partner but a dear friend. His wit and humor defined him as the unique individual we all knew him to be. He will never be replaced. He had a voice and he had something to say.”

“Your loyalty and support for him and his craft was always a mutual sentiment. John cared deeply for all of you,” Johnson wrote. “He loved to make you all laugh.”

A memorial service for Walton will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 12, at the Second Baptist Church West Campus at 19449 Katy Freeway.

The Walton and Johnson show first launched in February 1983 and currently has 16 affiliates throughout the south. It has been described in the Houston Chronicle as one that mixes music and talk with a decided right-of-center slant. The show was also hit with criticism in a Vice article about its use of stereotypical gay and black characters.

Daily listeners might hear famous comedians, high-profile politicians or major recording artists playing something that isn’t available on a record, according to the show’s Facebook page.

DON’T MISS A BEAT: Text CHRON to 77453 to get breaking news alerts by text | Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.

Ken Webster, the show’s executive producer, said “Walton and Johnson” aired Wednesday for listeners to share their favorite stories of Walton and the show.

“John was great a broadcaster but also a very private person, and we didn’t realize how much pain he was in ... near the end of his life,” Webster said.

After Johnson’s message was posted, grieving fans responded with more than 250 comments.

“Houston will never be the same without him,” wrote April Ellett. “Thank you for making our mornings start with laughter.”

Chuck Tiller, program director for AM 1070 The Answer wrote: “John will be missed. He was a great broadcaster. We offer our condolences and prayers from the ‘Sam Malone Show’ and AM1070.”

Webster said Walton’s death was a shock to him. Walton was known as a hard worker among his friends and associates, he said. A typical day for him included recording the show for roughly four and a half hours, then driving to Beaumont, where he managed his own radio station KXXF-105.3 FM. Walton owned the station since 2014.

“It’s always been his dream since he was a kid to own his own station,” his son, Adam Walton, who is also the station’s program director, said Wednesday.

Adam Walton said a group of investors was prepared to purchase KXXF.

“John was a legend in his industry,” Webster added. “For decades, people all over the country have tried to replicate and copy what Walton and Johnson did as a radio show. It’s part of the reason why the show had so much longevity.”

Staff writer Jacob Dick reporting in Beaumont contributed to this report.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.