Joe called me yesterday and asked to me post about what is going on.
If you haven't heard, he has been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer.
Talk about a rock. Guy survives his heart attack, then loses his wife, and now this? It's incredible to me how strong he is...I mean, can you imagine?
They have given him a pain blocker that he says is working well, though he has trouble eating. He had a port installed for chemo.
He is in incredibly good spirits, even though he admitted to me he's tired, he wants to finish the race shining the Light of the Lord to others. He's at peace and I'm proud of how he has handled ALL of this with so much grace.
Please pray for mercy if you would be so kind. He didn't ask me to start this thread so people could feel sorry for him, he asked me because he wanted you all to know that the headstone finally was set in place, he just wasn't up to doing it ( in hospital today), and I don't blame him.
I'd like to thank everyone who donated to this cause. Joe is a special guy a and all those bashes made more than good times, they made lifelong friends. I'll forever be grateful to have known him & Kathy.
Be good to those you love.
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MOD EDIT: Here's a little more detail on Joe's new work:
Originally Posted by Nzoner:
God granted me seeing my 60th birthday yesterday and hopefully I'll have the opportunity to see some of you yet.
I also want to tell a little more about our new ministry and will do so.
Originally Posted by cmh6476:
On March 12, 2023, Joey (Jammin’ Joe) Dale Tracy of Saint Joseph, MO passed away at the age of 60 in his home, surrounded by family.
Joe was born on December 26, 1962, in St. Joseph, MO to Larry and Sondra (Clark) Tracy. He graduated from Benton High School in 1981. On November 29, 1985, while working together at the Thrifty Nickel, he married Kathy Beth Russell. Joe and Kathy went on to own and operate the St. Joseph AD-Venture direct mail publication for 26 years and Pyro Joe’s Fireworks for 12 years.
Joe rededicated his life to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 2019. He and Kathy had daily prayer and bible study together.
Joe was passionate about many things in life – Jesus Christ, Music, Football, Fireworks, and good food. Many knew him as “Jammin’ Joe,” “NZoner” from ChiefsPlanet.com, or “Pyro Joe.”
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Sondra, and wife, Kathy. He is survived by his father Larry, stepmother Patty, brother Kevin (Theresa), nephews Brad and Ian, nieces Shannon and Alyssa, several cousins, and two fur-babies Oscar & Sadie.
Farewell Services & Public Livestream will be held on Thursday, March 16th at 1:00 pm at the Grace Calvary Chapel – 5103 S. 50th St., St. Joseph, MO. Interment Mount Auburn Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, Joe requests donations to his recently established foundation L.O.S.S. (Loss of Spouse Sanctuary). The sanctuary will assist other widows and widowers along their grief journey. More information about L.O.S.S. can be found at LossOfSpouse.org. Donations may be made via the website. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
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.
I remember saying to myself, "we're gonna go up to St. Joe this year and buy some fireworks". Well, the hustle and bustle of life happens and we never did that. Wish we would have.
Our sincerest condolences to everyone who knew him. [Reply]
One of my favorite times with Joe in Vegas. CP's own Carlota is on Joe's right, I'm on his left. I don't recall who the other two are. One was a Vegas local, Vegas_Dave I believe.
