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ST. LOUIS (KTVI) – The family of Lou “Fatha” Thimes says the St. Louis radio DJ legend has died.

“Fatha” Thimes was a mainstay in the St. Louis radio broadcast industry for over 50 years.   Thimes had recently fallen ill.

Thimes started his radio career 1952 in Okinawa, Japan but started in St. Louis in 1956 and served for years with popular 60s radio stations like KXLW, KWK, and KADI.  But generations of listeners remember him best for KATZ AM 1600 playing Blues and Gospel music for over 50 years.

He leaves behind his son, Lou Thimes, Jr. (The Real J.R.) and his international Jazz diva daughter, Ms. Denise Thimes.

Lou “Fatha” Thimes was  85 years old.