Casey Kasem Dies at 82

Casey Kasem, who for years counted down the hits on "American Top 40", died Sunday morning surrounded by family and friends at the age of 82.

"Early this Father's Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends," daughter Kerri Kasem posted on her Facebook page. "Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad. With love, Kerri, Mike and Julie."

The legendary radio host had been suffering from Lewy body dementia, a degenerative disease similar to Parkinson's. He had been hospitalized in critical condition at a hospital in Gig Harbor, WA.

The family had been fighting a nasty legal battle over his health care and visitation rights for the past few months and a judge ruled against his wife, Jean, in favor of his daughter, Kerri, who was responsible for his care, and allowed her to implement end-of-life measures for the former "AT40" host.

"It's a sad day for the broadcasting community and for radio listeners around the world," said current "American Top 40" host Ryan Seacrest to E! News. "When I was a kid, I would listen to Casey Kasem's AT40 show every weekend, and dream about someday becoming a radio DJ.  So when decades later I took over his AT40 countdown show, it was a surreal moment. Casey had a distinctive friendly on-air voice, and he was just as affable and nice if you had the privilege to be in his company. He'll be greatly missed by all of us."

Kasem was also known for voicing cartoon characters, most memorably Shaggy on "Scooby-Doo."

He is survived by daughters Kerri, Julie and Liberty, a son, Michael, his brother Mouner and his sister-in-law Mary.