I am shocked and dismayed.

I met Joe at the Riviera liquidation sale last year and discovered that we were neighbors. Visited each other at home - boy oh boy did he have a bunch of slot machine marquees.

Joe introduced me to this chat board (I rarely post, just lurk) and the National show, the local club and a recent show at Arizona Charlies, where I last saw him.

He was a happy camper when we last spoke. Joe went to the Lucky Dragon to run-up points for a special plaque and hit a big video poker hand. Got his points for the plaque and walked out a $500 winner!

He loved his trips to Thailand and his Hooters' girls.

Joe retired from govt service, I believe Homeland Security from Chicago.

i will miss him.

Joe departed this life suddenly, and he did not suffer a lingering death. Reminds me of the line in Kenny Rogers' song about the gambler "...and the best thing that could happen is that you die in your sleep!"

RIP my friend.