Damn it. I had hoped for the best for Joe. Good guy, fun times in St. Joe at his place. He will definitely be missed here on the board and in real life. Rest easy brother. [Reply]
Heavy Heart.
Glad Joe's suffering is over but so sad to see him gone.
I met him through CP and was a guest at a few of his bashes. I would have never come to KC as much as I have if not for Joe, and certainly wouldn't be friends with a lot of folks on here if not for Joe.
Joe was one of those people with a bigger than life spirit and probably could strike up a conversation and make friends with anyone.
He suffered a lot in his last few years, losing loved ones, going through a heart attack and his cancer. Any time I wrote him of he posted on Facebook, he'd maintain gratitude and and positive attitude. Amazing. He once said he should change his name to Job (from the Bible). Joe, always with a chuckle at the end.
I remember him as a lover of music: He'd crank the tunes during the commercials while games were on at his place. And he liked a wide variety of music. Knew a lot about all genres. He even was a DJ if IIRC.
Joe was an entrepreneur. Had his own advertising business and when digital made that really tough to keep up, he pivoted to fireworks, and told me of his idea to rent his property as an event space (something that will likely carry on with his LOSS charity)
I knew him as a man who lived in his own sports bar. And when he chose to no longer drink, he still hosted lots of friends every year.
He always had a big laugh and a loud voice, and die hard Chiefs fan of course. He used to do this chant during his bonfires at the bash "CHIEFS ONCE.... CHIEFS TWICE...." (and then a bunch of complicated stuff that I don't remember but it was important.)
He loved to go to casinos and posted his winnings on Facebook a lot.
He let me crash in his office, on his couch, in a recliner and, the first year, in a tent by his pond (I learned after that it was better to stay inside, lol).
RIP: Nzoner, Pyro Joe. God Bless you and welcome you into heaven. You leave a legacy behind on Earth. [Reply]
He brought my band down to St. Joe 3 years in a row to play the music festival he was running down there. He and Bug heard us at a bar in the Casino and he was impressed enough to ask if we wanted to go down there and open up for Head East. That turned into an annual deal for 3 years, culminating on our band headlining the last year. Joe was an amazing guy, really all about hospitality and putting on a great show. He was funny and the nicest guy you could ever meet. He came up here once again during that time to see Alice Cooper, and we met up at the show. We were both big fans. I wouldn't call us "friends" but we were good acquaintances.
My favorite part though, is his return to Christ in his latter years. He wore his faith on his sleeve and it was beautiful to witness. God Speed brother, I'm so blessed to have known you. [Reply]
That is the perfect way to say it, InChiefsHeaven.
We were all blessed to have known Joe. I remember going to the CP Bash for the first time. Joe's place was amazing. And he was such a great guy to open up his game room for all of us nuts here on this forum. I went to a few of those bashes and had great times and met a lot good CPers at those parties. I, too, am glad that Joe found God and is now at peace.
Rest in peace, brother. [Reply]
I might've "met" Joe on the Planet, but let me tell you about the first time I met him in person.
If you were going to Arrowhead from the Northland, everyone knew you got off 435 @ 23rd st, and took that up to Blue Ridge and straight shot to the complex, avoiding traffic.
At the time I was driving my 65 Chevy Chiefs van. I pulled off 435 and came up to the light @ 23rd. The van dies (which it tended to do after running on the highway) Cars are lining up behind me....I start to panic...Next thing I know a guy and a couple of friends jump out of the vehicle right behind me...it's Nzoner. Totally cool, wasn't worried about being held up. We got the van started and proceeded to Arrowhead. I met Joe being a good Samaritan.
Little did I know.
We went down to Texarkana to hang with Bob Dole for a week. Joe had over 50 CD's of prerecorded music. we JAMMED the whole way down..laughing at the podunk sights along the way...think Possum Blossum Cafe. Had a great time..He confided in us back then that he was afraid that his marriage was in trouble and he was worried it was going to end. Dole and I were shocked and tried to encourage him, but he was definitely hurting.
Little did I know.
The bashes. Oh man. Legendary. Words can never describe it. People coming from across the country to hang with Joe. Any one who ever attended can attest to the feeling you had when you walked into that game room for the first time. My first time there he was worried that I would be mad because he had taken a pic my Delany painting(another thing that brought us together, we both had his jersey.) and had blown it up onto a banner. He was worried that it would bother me, when in fact it was nothing short of a compliment. That was Joe. I remember asking him about a month ago what was his favorite item in the game room, and he couldn't pick one. Easy to understand.
About four years ago he called me and invited me to see The Record Company at the Voo Doo lounge, because Kathy wasn't feeling well. This is when he recommitted his life back to God. Went up to the hotel room, and it was just Him and his Bible. Cigarettes, booze, pot..all gone. Like it never happened. He was peaceful. We had a great time.
About a year ago I got a gig up in St Joe and of course, Joe let me stay with him for a couple of days. He had lost Kathy, and was on the mend form his heart attack. Working out, doing well.
On the last night, he opened up and confided in me. It's the only time I've ever seen him cry. He told me how he had failed in his marriage and let his wife down ( he loved her with the passion of a hundred men). No need for messy details, but he got on his knees and begged for her forgiveness, and she forgave him ( testament to who Kathy was) I wish I could describe how important this was to him. Carrying all that weight around all these years later(texarkana), only to have it lifted from both of their shoulders? The fact that they could reconcile before the health problems began just shows you the amazing grace of God, and the peace they must've felt. The last thing Kathy asked from Joe was to read her Bible to her.
As you all know, losing her broke his heart. It's all he talked about this past year. He wanted to honor her somehow, use their story as a testimony to help others.
Now the game room will serve that cause. Well done, brother.
Although I'm very sad today, my heart leaps for joy as I know he is in the Lord's and Kathy's arms. No more pain. No more sadness. Just forgiveness and joy.
I'm a wiser and richer man for knowing you. Thanks for being my steel to sharpen against.
The world sure could use a lot more Joey Tracys right about now.
Originally Posted by stevieray:
I might've "met" Joe on the Planet, but let me tell you about the first time I met him in person.
If you were going to Arrowhead from the northland, everyone knew you got off 435 @ 23rd st, and took that up to Blue Ridge and straight shot to the complex, avoiding traffic.
At the time I was driving my 65 Chevy Chiefs van. I pulled off 435 and came up to the light @ 23rd. The van dies (which it tended to do after running on the highway) Cars are lining up behind me....I start to panic...Next thing I know a guy and a couple of friends jump out of the vehicle right behind me...it's Nzoner. Totally cool, wasn't worried about being held up. We got the van started and proceeded to Arrowhead. I met Joe being a good Samaritan.
Little did I know.
We went down to Texarkana to hang with Bob Dole for a week. Joe had over 50 CD's of prerecorded music. we JAMMED the whole way down..laughing at the podunk sights along the way...think Possum Blossum Cafe. Had a great time..He confided in us back then that he was afraid that his marriage was in trouble and he was worried it was going to end. Dole and i were shocked and tried to encourage him, but he was definitely hurting.
Little did I know.
The bashes. Oh man. Legendary. Words can never describe it. People coming from across the country to hang with Joe. Any one who ever attended can attest to the feeling you had when you walked into that game room for the first time. My first time there he was worried that I would be mad because he had taken a pic my Delany painting(another thing that brought us together, we both had his jersey.) and had blown it up onto a banner. He was worried that it would bother me, when in fact it was nothing short of a compliment. That was Joe. I remember asking him about a month ago what was his favorite item in the game room was, and he couldn't pick one. Easy to understand.
About four years ago he called me and invited me to see The Record Company at the Voo Doo lounge, because Kathy wasn't feeling well. This is when he recommitted his life back to God. Went up to the hotel room, and it was just Him and his Bible. cigarettes, booze, pot..all gone. Like it never happened. He was peaceful. We had a great time.
About a year ago I got a gig up in St Joe and of course, Joe let me stay with him for a couple of days. He had lost Kathy, and was on the mend form his heart attack. Working out, doing well.
On the last night, he opened and confided in me. It's the only time I've ever seen him cry. He told me how he had failed in his marriage and let his wife down ( he loved her with the passion of a hundred men). no need for messy details, but he got on his knees and begged for her forgiveness, and she forgave him ( testament to who Kathy was) I wish I could describe how important this was to him. Carrying all that weight around all these years later(texarkana), only to have it lifted from both of their shoulders? The fact that they could reconcile before the health problems began just shows you the amazing grace of God, and the peace they must've felt. The last thing Kathy asked for joe was to read her Bible to her.
As you all know, losing her broke his heart. It's all he tallked about this past year. He wanted to honor her somehow, use their story as a testimony to help others.
Now the game room will serve that cause. Well done, brother.
Although iIm very sad today, my heart leaps for joy as I know he is in the Lord's and Kathy's arms. No more pain. no more sadness. Just forgiveness and joy.
I'm a wiser and richer man for knowing you. Thanks for being my steel to sharpen against.
The world sure could use a lot more Joey Traceys right about now.
I love you, man.
RIP
Sorry to hear I haven't been around as much , health, (it's getting better) life, jobs. But someone got me in a picture. RIP. Hell my dad met Joe at a Bash with my Dad, brother and nephew all at the same time. [Reply]
Originally Posted by stevieray:
I might've "met" Joe on the Planet, but let me tell you about the first time I met him in person.
If you were going to Arrowhead from the Northland, everyone knew you got off 435 @ 23rd st, and took that up to Blue Ridge and straight shot to the complex, avoiding traffic.
At the time I was driving my 65 Chevy Chiefs van. I pulled off 435 and came up to the light @ 23rd. The van dies (which it tended to do after running on the highway) Cars are lining up behind me....I start to panic...Next thing I know a guy and a couple of friends jump out of the vehicle right behind me...it's Nzoner. Totally cool, wasn't worried about being held up. We got the van started and proceeded to Arrowhead. I met Joe being a good Samaritan.
Little did I know.
We went down to Texarkana to hang with Bob Dole for a week. Joe had over 50 CD's of prerecorded music. we JAMMED the whole way down..laughing at the podunk sights along the way...think Possum Blossum Cafe. Had a great time..He confided in us back then that he was afraid that his marriage was in trouble and he was worried it was going to end. Dole and I were shocked and tried to encourage him, but he was definitely hurting.
Little did I know.
The bashes. Oh man. Legendary. Words can never describe it. People coming from across the country to hang with Joe. Any one who ever attended can attest to the feeling you had when you walked into that game room for the first time. My first time there he was worried that I would be mad because he had taken a pic my Delany painting(another thing that brought us together, we both had his jersey.) and had blown it up onto a banner. He was worried that it would bother me, when in fact it was nothing short of a compliment. That was Joe. I remember asking him about a month ago what was his favorite item in the game room was, and he couldn't pick one. Easy to understand.
About four years ago he called me and invited me to see The Record Company at the Voo Doo lounge, because Kathy wasn't feeling well. This is when he recommitted his life back to God. Went up to the hotel room, and it was just Him and his Bible. cigarettes, booze, pot..all gone. Like it never happened. He was peaceful. We had a great time.
About a year ago I got a gig up in St Joe and of course, Joe let me stay with him for a couple of days. He had lost Kathy, and was on the mend form his heart attack. Working out, doing well.
On the last night, he opened up and confided in me. It's the only time I've ever seen him cry. He told me how he had failed in his marriage and let his wife down ( he loved her with the passion of a hundred men). No need for messy details, but he got on his knees and begged for her forgiveness, and she forgave him ( testament to who Kathy was) I wish I could describe how important this was to him. Carrying all that weight around all these years later(texarkana), only to have it lifted from both of their shoulders? The fact that they could reconcile before the health problems began just shows you the amazing grace of God, and the peace they must've felt. The last thing Kathy asked from Joe was to read her Bible to her.
As you all know, losing her broke his heart. It's all he talked about this past year. He wanted to honor her somehow, use their story as a testimony to help others.
Now the game room will serve that cause. Well done, brother.
Although I'm very sad today, my heart leaps for joy as I know he is in the Lord's and Kathy's arms. No more pain. No more sadness. Just forgiveness and joy.
I'm a wiser and richer man for knowing you. Thanks for being my steel to sharpen against.
The world sure could use a lot more Joey Traceys right about now.
I love you, man.
RIP
Thanks for sharing Stevie, that was really cool. It's amazing how many good people we keep losing. I tell my wife all the time how lucky we are to have what we have. Family, friends and another day to enjoy each other. [Reply]
Originally Posted by stevieray:
I might've "met" Joe on the Planet, but let me tell you about the first time I met him in person.
If you were going to Arrowhead from the Northland, everyone knew you got off 435 @ 23rd st, and took that up to Blue Ridge and straight shot to the complex, avoiding traffic.
At the time I was driving my 65 Chevy Chiefs van. I pulled off 435 and came up to the light @ 23rd. The van dies (which it tended to do after running on the highway) Cars are lining up behind me....I start to panic...Next thing I know a guy and a couple of friends jump out of the vehicle right behind me...it's Nzoner. Totally cool, wasn't worried about being held up. We got the van started and proceeded to Arrowhead. I met Joe being a good Samaritan.