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.
Both of my parents died from it. Since that basically makes me the perfect gene cocktail for it, I'll have to start getting scanned for it a few times a year when I turn 40. There are immunotherapies that are doing wonders now-a-days. Lifting you up in prayer. [Reply]
You probably don't remember meeting me as it was only once but you were gracious enough to allow my young cousin and myself to crash one of your Chief parties. Thank you for being the best host we could have hoped for. Hoping only for the best outcome for you. [Reply]
Very sad. Prayers to Joe. A nicer person you could not find. I’ve been to his place a couple of times and his wife even gave me a tour of her nascar room.
Originally Posted by Nzoner:
Good afternoon all and thank you for the prayers and thoughts.Today is the best day I've had in awhile so wanted to hop on here while the going was good.
I've told my pastor and other friends that after this recent diagnosis I'm officially drooping the E from my name and adding a B instead.For those that don't know this story you can search Job in the Bible and read a quite amazing story.
As Stevie said my spirit is good and I know that's because I have a future hope,you see my take is either way this goes I'M GETTING HEALED,either this side of heaven(with an amazing testimony) or in heaven with my Savior where there will be no more tears of sorrow,no pain and we will know all as we've been known.ALL PROMISES from God's Word.
If it's the latter I just can just hear my dear wife."You already?"
"yes dear and now you get to put up with me for eternity." :-)
Just a little Nzoner humor there.
Anyhow BIG THANKS again to those of you who donated to Mrs Nzoner's fund which every dime went towards our headstone(which I think turned out amazing) and the reason the Chiefs Planet tribute is on the back.
Lord willing maybe we can have a mellow BASH if someone wants to work on that as it'd be great to see everyone.
God Bless each and all and please remember if you don't know Christ as your personal Savior,I speak from experience when I say He is for real and totally changed my life and can change yours.And please I realize I've had 20 straight months of death and close calls and the like but I'm still here shouting Jesus Is Lord from the rooftops and by His grace will do so until my last breath. God has a plan for each of us and sometimes I wonder if mine wasn't to meet a bunch of hooligan friends like I was and to be radically changed by Jesus so that His light may shine through me to give others hope.
DON'T SHINE SO OTHERS CAN SEE YOU....SHINE SO THAT THROUGH YOU OTHERS CAN SEE HIM
Guy is first rate, class act dude. Makes no sense - the amount of misfortune he's endured. My only guess is god must really like him and his wife (r.i.p.) Hoping God can be patient enough to to let him see a few more championships and if not maybe science gets a win. Either way, praying and hoping that a first rate, class act dude gets a few more trips around the sun, and has sunny days where he feels like the sun is just for him. [Reply]
Mr. Nzoner, you are a great example of a human being and of your faith. Thank you for making us part of your life. Hang in there. I'm sure you finish the race and we will all keep you in our prayers and thoughts.
Originally Posted by LongSufferingToady:
Mr. Nzoner, you are a great example of a human being and of your faith. Thank you for making us part of your life. Hang in there. I'm sure you finish the race and we will all keep you in our prayers and thoughts.
ps - Heck of a tombstone too!
This!!! X 10!!! Joe, I'll send up a few prayers for ya. But mostly for continued strength and peace. You ARE loved, my brother.
