:(

Thanks for sharing the personal memories SR, Tiny and all others. Never met him but like many I followed the threads about all the get togethers and just them both hosting those events tells you they were definitely quality people.

What’s so impactful for me is his journey through life after his wife passed. He was able to realize he had a way to help others once he was gone with the very trying times they would go through and he did that while he was going through it. It’s really leading by example and walking the walk of leaving the world a better place. That’s just very remarkable in my view.

May he RIP and God Bless L.O.S.S. and its future helping people deal with life without their loved ones.

God Bless you all who are hurting right now

:clap:

Years ago, Joe took me to see ZZ Top in Colombia.

He had one VIP pass. He said to me: Hey man I hope you don't mind if I use this and get up front? I'm like not at all. I'm just glad to be here.

You know what he did? Went up front for about 30 then came back and hung out with me for the rest of the show.

That was Joe.

AHAW HAW HAW

Not the news I wanted to see getting on here this morning.

I talked more with Kathy at bashes, so I didn't get to know Joe as well. I never saw him once he found Christ. My memories of him are a bit more on the crazy side, so, out of respect, I won't go into detail. The one thing that was constant was his willingness to accept people into his home. Not just for the bash, but whenever people needed a place to stay (like whenever I had an early morning flight out of KC and didn't really want to pay for a hotel room or drive up from Springfield that early).

He is now with Kathy and his Savior. I'm glad he got to see his Chiefs win one more Super Bowl.

RIP, Nzoner.

That’s awesome :thumb:

Keep these stories flowing in the days that follow. That’s what he would want you all to remember! Take care brother!

Also, I just now noticed the Lounge's name change. Love it.

Well said sir!

Damn....just damn.

Go get em Joe.

Damn. :huh:

Far too young. RIP, Joe.

Holy shit, that 5th picture is crazy. :eek:

Talk about big crowd. Arrowhead had less attendees in the 70's. :LOL:

Another memory of Joe. This is from the same trip to Vegas. Carlota's radio station hosted football Sunday at the LV Hilton showroom and she got us passes to the VIP section which included an open bar. Joe and I had the bartender, Aturo, making margaritas just the way we like them. Another picture is Joe taking a picture of me taking a picture of him.

Fun times...

Nzoner loved music like no other. His collection was massive. I always think of him listening to blues rock, but one time he was jamming to a Blu-Ray to INXS. It changed the way I listened to INXS. Also when joe jammed he would dance and do air guitar. He was jammin joe for sure.

Got my leave turned in at work and the trucked filled up, just have to finish packing and I'll be headed north at daybreak tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing everyone and celebrating one of the good ones.

When going to a bash, I always took whatever alcohol I wanted to share, plus a bottle of Patron Silver for the host. Joe and his margaritas!

I'd support the lounge name change as a permanent change.

Didn't know him other than through CP. Always liked reading his posts, and he seemed like a good guy.

RIP, sir. And Godspeed.

Wow. Joe was one of a kind, always accommodating and patient, even with us dumbasses.

Condolences to all those who knew him. I had no idea he was that young, which makes it even more tragic.

I've had a browser window open for the last 24 hours or so, and just haven't been able to put my thoughts together. I'll do my best.

I believe 100% in my heart that Joe is the reason why CP is so important to so many of us. It was Joe who played a big role in me meeting so many lifetime friends - opening his home to 10, 20 sometimes 50+ internet friends, some he knew, I'm betting a lot he didn't. Didn't matter, because to Joe - CP was family. All were welcome, the more the merrier.

His bashes were EPIC. Great music. Great people. Crystal plungers. Sharpie dicks to those who crashed early. Bonfires. Chargers hats in said bonfire.

Love. There was always a lot of love in the room.

Because, Chiefs.

If you loved the Chiefs, more than likely, Joe loved you. And would do anything for you. He's a one-of-one who I am grateful to had the opportunity to meet and spend time with. While taken FAR too young, I take solace in the fact he's no longer suffering, and is reunited with the love of his life Kathy. I guarantee she had the NASCAR Room up and running in heaven.

Thank you Joe, for everything. Without you, it's unlikely I meet 100+ people here who I still call a friend to this day. Way too many to mention, you all know who you are.

I love you ****ers.

RIP Joe. You'll be missed, but certainly never forgotten.

Condolences for his family and friends. I wasn't part of his circle however I did enjoy reading his posts. I will miss that.

Dammit, first Stevie then you. Beautiful tribute. :deevee:

I'm very thankful to have been able to meet Joe and Kathy. I'm glad that I was able to make it to one of the bashes. My wife couldn't believe that I was going to drive 3.5 hours to party all night with people that I've never met "in real life". I mean it's crazy enough to travel and meet with people you don't know, but to host them.....That's another level of crazy, lol. Joe had a place at Grand Lake and a couple of times I was able to meet up with them while they were down here at the casino in Joplin. Like someone else had mentioned, I was also privileged with a couple of CD's that he sent me in the mail when I mentioned that I hadn't ever heard of Porcupine Tree. What special giving people they were and they will be missed. RIP.

One thing about Joe: he loved food! One of his favorites was a cheeseburger pickle pizza. I couldn’t quite muster the enthusiasm he had for it, but appreciated the uniqueness of it.

You guys have given a great portrait of the man Joe was. We are all better off for having known him and will keep him forever close in our hearts.

I’m putting together a compilation of thoughts from the Planet to be read at the funeral. If you would like yours included, please pm me.
Thanks.

There's another online community that I think only Joe and I belonged to (same handles here and at fftoday), which was kind of weird because he and I are both from stj (he graduated with my uncle at benton and we would hang on occasion with local mutual friends), and to me it feels like stj is under represented on this forum.

Only saying this because I saw porcupine tree mentioned and I know he talked to guys from the fftoday site about the same band.

But his online influence and respect from other posters included fftoday as well.

https://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/...09-rip-nzoner/

I had forgotten that Joe sent me a few CDs as well. One of them was Alice Cooper's Welcome 2 My Nightmare. One of the songs on it led me to accept Jesus as my Savior. I'm not sure I ever told Joe that. I'm sure he would have liked that.

Check out the lyrics.

I Am Made of You

I was just a shadow
In the beginning
I was alone

In the beginning, I was blind
Living in a world devoid of light
In the beginning
There was only night

I was shattered
Left in pieces
And I felt so cold inside
Then I called you
From the darkness
Where I hide

I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you

In the beginning
You were evolution
A river of salvation
And now I believe

All I wanted
All I needed
Was someone to rescue me
I was drownin'
I was dying
Now I'm free

I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you

Here I am now
I can stand now
'Cause your love has made me strong
And forever
You're the singer
I'm the song

I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you
I am made of you

I was just talking to my wife about Joe. I never met him I didn't attend a bash but I did get inspired by the Game room. Right after the first bash there were pictures of the bash and I was in a remodel. I changed up the direction we went just to emulate the game room in a way. I wish I wasn't half the way across the country. I wish I had made it to a bash.
I have a real appreciation for a man of faith. It is way harder to have faith than to dismiss a higher power. God speed Joe and Kathy you are missed.

R.I.P. Joe.

Count me amongst the cd beneficiaries. Twenty some years ago I decided to really start exploring the blues and when mentioning it Joe took the opportunity to express his love for the blues influenced ZZ Top. He ended up burning me not one, but two cds of their music, ranging from songs I knew to a whole lot of deeper cuts that you’ll never hear on the radio.

And while no cds were involved for this artist, the game room is where I was introduced to Joe Bonamassa’s bluesy rock.

My playlist for tomorrow is starting to take shape…

So sorry to read this. I never got the chance to meet Joe in person (we were supposed to meet up in Vegas back in the late 2000s but my flight got in late), but he was a true pioneer of this site and spreading just genuine friendship to everyone who registered here and generosity with his legendary bashes. He was always so kind to me in our interactions and that's how I'll remember him.

This place has been running strong for over 20 plus years because of genuine people like Joe in an age where internet message boards have declined.

60 is far too young, but he made an incredible mark on this world. RIP Joe and Kathy.

I woke up this morning feeling a bit rough. Wandered around the house a bit trying to do my normal morning routine. Every morning after I get stuff done I sit and read CP for a bit.

I tried to avoid reading this morning because it's a surreal kick to the nuts when I see this thread. I read a bit and started to tear up over a man I've never met.

I will not cry for Joe anymore....even though I never met him I'm sure he would agree. He seems like the guy who would say "knock it off". Mr. Nzoner made it home to his wife. Crying because we lost him is selfish on our part.

Joe isn't in pain, he's with his wife, and he's still laughing at our dumb asses. Death sucks ass for the living but I'm sure it was a hell of a day for him. Joe is home....I'm happy for that.

This board amazes me every day. The tributes and kind words about a man on the internet are inspiring.

God Bless,
Michael

It is awe-inspiring to see so many people from this site who first met in real life over the last 20+ years from Joe's bashes and became great long term friends.

I gave up Facebook and spend 99% of my time here because of all the great people on this site.

While his visit here to Phoenix for the 1st game of the year was the only time I ever met Joe, I feel like I met a very unique and caring individual that I will never forget.

He was one of the great ones.....

I'm in Ky today in a rather somber mood knowing I needed to be in St Joe today.

Sometimes life has sucky moments, this is just one of the many.

Again, RIP my friend, you are missed.

LiveStream at 1:00pm CST

Is anyone posting the link?

Let me see if I can find one...

Go to the link in the OP and scroll down, and there's a live stream link.

Try this...maybe closer to 1...?

https://graceontheweb.org/watch-live/


I'll be at the church in an hour and can double check then

Okay this should do it...

https://livestream.com/gracelivefeed/memorialservices

This one works. Watching now.

Beautiful service and an amazing tribute to Joe (and Kathy).

Thanks for the link, Bug. Truly appreciate it.

Thank you for sharing.

Wow, that was powerful. I've never met Joe, but thanks to his personal message, I feel like I have.

RIP

Getting to see Joe speak to us one last time... Just perfect.

There's a recording up on the site for anyone who missed the live stream but is interested in watching it.

https://livestream.com/gracelivefeed...deos/235451586

The video he recorded that starts at about 44:30 is worth a watch if nothing else.

Big thanks to DaFace for the recording, I was reading this thread on a short work lunch hoping to see a replay later

What an amazing guy who faced his end with the kind of courage and grace I can only imagine, its so comforting to see how deep his faith ran in the face of so much adversity and heartbreak... and his words are currently making me want to redefine what it means to be a Christian

I can only hope we're ALL as prepared as Joe was, one of these days

Thank you for posting this. :thumb: :toast:

That was a really nice service for Joe. The video he recorded was a surprise, but so well done. Just touching and a great message from him. Bob Dole, Bugeater, Stevieray, KCWolfman, Raiderhater and I were in attendance representing CP. It was great reconnecting with those guys, especially KCWolfman and Raiderhater whom I haven't seen in several years. Most of us went out for some appetizers and beers afterwards. A lot of great stories and reminiscing of times with Joe and other get togethers.

Here's Dole, Stevieray, Raiderhater and I at Outlaw Cigar and Brewery.

Nice. Wish I could have been there.

I'm used to Bash or tailgate attire. You guys clean up nice. ;)

Bravo guys!!! Wish I could've been there. Thanks for being there.

Me too...I realize that I'm not as connected to the forum as I once was, but it's sad to see our virtual friends through this forum pass. It's going to happen with all of us, but facing that reality is difficult.

God bless Nzoner and his wife....

I stopped by the visitation. Would have been there today but had plans to be in des Moines :(

I apologize for being a few days late in posting this, while I am sad we have lost a great member of not just Chiefs Planet, but all of Chiefs Kingdom; at least he is now at peace, reunited with his wife, no longer in pain. He has won his race of life and has won his crown. Death is never the end, just a transition from this world to the next.

Requiescat In Pace Joe "Nzoner"

This and dealing with health problems.

Wow, wow, wow. I love reading these tributes.

First, his relationship with Jesus is a testimony to all of us. The peace that gives through all the things he endured is something to remember.

I also love how he redeemed the pain of his loss and combined that into his love for fellowship and created a ministry that will continue long after his passing. His L.O.S.S. organization is such a blessing to his community, and I love that he leaves that behind.

Chiefs Planet is a pretty cool place. Again, I'm sorry for those who knew Joe well. For what it's worth, I'm praying for you.

I'm not a writer, but this comes from the heart!
 

Joe Tracy, your kindness, concerns and love for one another plus generosity was on display from the time I first met you until the very end. The powerful message you left here is a reminder of the kind of person that Joe was, always sharing his gift of love with his friends and mankind. When Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, he became one of God's foot soldiers. He carried himself with the utmost respect for our Lord.

A couple of months back when Joe wasn't doing well, I was talking on the phone with Scott. I mentioned I wanted to go see him but at the time I couldn't due to some of my own health issues. We spoke about how positive Joe was with all of his own health issue as well as how difficult it was for Joe to lose Kathy. It was just a few days later, Joe took that negative moment in his life, turned it all into a positive with L.O.S.S. To anybody that knew Joe, this is who he was, Joe was always willing to step out and lead by example trying to leave an impact of helping others. Joe had a wonderful, loving spirit inside of him, just glowing and sharing it each day. Joe had that loving spirit of Jesus Christ within him and he allowed it to shine each day.

It is my wish & desire to have the grace and dignity that you have showed in your final days!

Good Bye Joe Tracy, You are missed and It's been an honor to have you as my friend.

Looking good boys! So wanted to be there, but I had a family obligation that would not wait. Maybe next season we can have an Nzoner celebration of life!

Great idea Katie, maybe we can carry on the tradition some how?

The video is a really good idea. I'm wowed.

I’ll echo what others have said about what a nice service it was yesterday. Of course that is to be expected with Joe planning it all out. I started to get a little emotional while the first speaker was up but kept it under control - his video message finally got me though. The world is truly a lesser place with out him and Kathy.

It was great to have some of the gang back together again, in spite of the occasion. Seeing and catching up with some people I haven’t seen in some years and talking about the fun times we’ve had in the past helped make it a much better day. We definitely need to not go so long with out getting together. A large reason for the community aspect of this place that is the foundation of our longevity here is those real life relationships that have developed over the years. Next time let’s do it because we want to, not because we are saying goodbye to one of us.

Love you all.

Way too young. Rip.

Encore! Encore! (lights lighter and waves back n forth)

A couple of more things about the bashes.

In the beginning Joe and Kathy not only hosted, but also catered the food.
It was always a great spread, down to multiple desserts to finish it off. Once the bashes got bigger, Joe started to ask for donations, to help cover the cost. Of course everyone obliged and even then, thy donated a portion of the proceeds to one of Kathy's local charities. That's who they were.

Prolly the coolest was that you didn't need a ticket to come to the bash. Joe didn't go to all of the games, so if you wanted to come hang with the planet for a weekend, but couldn't afford a ticket, you had a front row recliner waiting for you on gameday.

I took these pics from the display. I feel these pics perfectly capture Joes' joy, easy going nature and determination, qualities that would shine through him in the difficult times, up until the very end. Not once did he see himself as a victim or searching for sympathy.

Eloquently illustrated in the video he shared.






It was an eerie feeling driving up to the church on Thursday, after being there not too long ago help Joe bury Kathy. Humbling. Kind of crept on you the whole time.

The service was very well done. I was moved by Joes' childhood friend. She was very honest and poignant. I could see why she was Joes friend much later in life. His life long business associate and niece also did a fine job in something is not very easy to do. Something like this never is. I wish Katie could have made it, so that Joe's impact on the planet could've been recognized.

I mustered up the courage to talk to Joe's dad. I introduced myself from the planet and that i' had known him almost twenty years. Told him how happy I was that he had recommitted to the Lord and how his legacy would be so different had he not. Joe looks like his dad. He has his eyes. While I was shaking his hand, I kid you not, I saw a flash of Joe in those eyes.

I gasped, and he saw it, and I blurted out I loved your son, you raised a FINE boy. He teared and thanked me and told me that it meant a lot to him. Oh sir, you'll never know how much you reciprocated that day. Godspeed to you and your family.

On the visit right after he was diagnosed, he requested that I pick pallbearers from the planet. I don't know if this got lost along the way, or the family decided against it (which is well within their rights), but we found out the night before that it wasn't happening. Our desire was to wear suits and then put Chiefs jerseys over when we laid him to rest.

When we were in the foyer, the funeral director came up and thought we were the pall bearers. So while it was disappointing, we were dressed to the nines and represented the planet in fine fashion, albeit in a subtle way. I noticed that people are dressing more casual at funerals, so we stuck out a little. I hope we made Joe proud.

We got together at Joe's hangout in St Joe (54th st grill) and toasted and reminisced. Great memories, good times and laughs were had by all. just how Joe would've wanted it.

Friday was HARD. Just a sense of loneliness that is now starting to slowly get better.

Now, it all feels like a compilation of sorts. A rock solid testament to an era that most likely never be replicated, duplicated or paralleled.

For that, I am blessed and grateful to have experienced some amazing times with some really, really great people.



God Bless

Much love to Joe and Kathy... they were great people. Gone too soon, but they are back together. God bless them. Life was an Ad-Venture for them. :-) Those CP Bashes were amazing.

The eclipse party!

Thanks to you that went to the Funeral, and for those posting videos and pics of Joe. I only knew him through these interwebs, but WOW, what a great testimony and great video of him talking at his own funeral. Joe is right, he's in a great place.

I just got back to Texas, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to hang out with some of the OG CP people and celebrate a life well lived. As has already been stated, I hope this wasn’t the end of the sense of community.

So glad many of you were able to make it. It was very disappointing to me that I couldn’t be there. Joe had asked me to read sentiments from the planet which I would gladly have done, but the funeral was scheduled so quickly I couldn’t get out of my family obligation. I sent a compilation of some of the great planet tributes but I guess they weren’t able to include them.

I hope sometime in the future we can gather together and share some great memories of our friend!

why don't we organize some sort of gathering that could raise more for the L.O.S.S.? If some of ya'll who play music, or someone wanted to DJ, I bet the D&G restaurant would let us use their music venue and collect $10 for apps and entry.

It's hard to think of anything to write that hasn't already been written above. Everyone knows how special Joe was. I really wanted to attend the service, but I am out of the country on business.

He was a family friend and business partner for the majority of my existence.


I suppose I can state some random memories of me and Joe:


-We both attended The First Assembly of God church in St. Joseph. I was a kid at the time, but do remember him talking with my older brothers/father.

-I re-acquainted with Joe as a teenager while picking up/delivering pallets of Adventure through my families trucking business.

-We found each other again randomly on CP and always talked Chiefs when meeting up IRL.

-An easy spot to find him was at the 54th Street bar, where we would down Tank 7's and talk about prog music. I'd call my wife and say "Going to 54th to talk to Joe and have a beer."

-Both of our favorites bands is Porcupine Tree. I really regret NOT going with him to Chicago to see them live. He told me stories of how fun that trip was.

-We went to see Steven Wilson (of Ptree) together a few years ago, stopped at the Pnut... took a couple of gummies, had a great night.

-I was Joe's IT guy, as I helped rebuild his PC's, and gave him a couple of laptops.... keeping him somewhat caught up in tech. That giant music collection he had mentioned in an above post... much of that came from me. ;) I surprised him with my entire digital collection when his computer crashed.

-For the past years, I would create Pyro Joe's Fireworks digital display for demonstrating Fireworks inside of his building on the TV.

-Joe was a huge fan of my music projects/bands. I remember at one time he wanted to get involved as my band manager and/or promoter which blew me away. I was always so appreciative of that offer, even though it didn't work out due to Kathy's health and Joe's moving on from Rock Music and strictly into Gospel/Praise/Worship music.

-Joe loved to speak about his testimony.

I'm going to cut this one loose now...been up for quite a while as it is. Thanks to all to who supported Joe with his fundraisers and lastly for his fight for life. It's truly the end of an era for Chiefsplanet.

Prayers and thoughts are with loved ones. So tragic!

My memory is fogging and I don’t remember if I saw this before. Very sorry and sad to hear this him and his wife were amazing hosts at the bash. I went to. Man was such a kind soul, as was his wife. What I remember, most is just how kind and pleasant they were as people. Rest.