‘JD the DJ’ dies

WJPA-FM (95.3) is reporting that the voice of “Mon Valley Memories” has fallen silent.

Jim Dudas, 63, of Charleroi died Sunday, the station reports, following “serious health problems” over the past year. Dudas was to be honored at the Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department in October for his many years of hosting oldies dances and radio shows throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Dudas, known as “JD the DJ,” hosted his “Mon Valley Memories” show for years on the former WESA-FM (98.3) in Charleroi. When WESA was turned into “Froggy 98.3,” the show moved a decade ago to Washington’s WJPA and had been heard from 12 to 6 p.m. Sundays.

According to an article earlier this month in the Tribune-Review, Dudas earlier this year was a guest emcee for a “Roots of Rock and Roll” show at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center, and has appeared on WQED-TV’s doo-wop music specials.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. (H/T Radio-Info.com discussion boards)