In Memorium chuck D

[itake]

Yesterday, we lost a long-time friend and member of the Ascension family, chuck D (Jeff McComas). Two and a half years ago, he was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable gut cancer that had spread and was given less than a year to live. Fortunately for all of us, he was never one to pay much attention to odds and carried on well past his terminal sentence. Jeff was friendly, funny, and always up for a game. The next part is a quote listed directly from his self-authored obituary (https://www.caringbridge.org/site/15593 ... 62ee6eb2e9):

“I had a big, awesome family, full of lively, lovely people, most of whom are still kicking. I was a dad, hubby, brother, friend, uncle, mensch, pickleballer, Boglehead (google it), volunteer, chemical engineer, EHS guy, Ukrainian advocate, Six Sigma black belt, IT weenie, minimalist and proud Minnesotan. A fan of ‘90s hip hop (musical tastes lock in at age 19; I was no exception. Fight The Power) and of course ZZ Top. and Prince. I better stop there, or this will become a boring autobiography.”

Jeff has been with Ascension since its founding and Aeternus before that. During COVID, the clan had regular online poker games where we set up a Zoom call that allowed us to put faces with the names we'd come to know so well via messages in those tiny CC chat boxes. Jeff would show up with his wild, ZZ Top beard and Minnesota-nice, cheerful personality (and Fargo-esque accent to match). He always made an effort to find out more about his clanmates, filling silences with questions about how each of our lives were going and trying to convince us we needed to learn to play pickleball.

He would HATE that we're even spending this much time writing about him, and if he could, would probably tell us to get over it and go play a game. Chuck D, we miss you brother. See you at the next game table.

itake and mdhill
(mike & matt)

[jusplay4fun]

I know Mookie to be a member of your Clan, Ascension, and know him to be a very good player and even better person.

It is fitting that you take time to remember a fallen member of your Clan who was apparently another Great Guy. Other than MookieMcGee, I do not know any of you. BUT I read your post with interest as I reflect a bit on those that I have lost in recent days and years. The key things (to me) are that we enjoy our times with good friends, remember them and their life and contributions, and that we move forward from here.

Well Done, Ascension. And SORRY for your HUGE Loss.

[LFAW]

RIP Jeff. One hell of a quick speed freestyler on here and a good opponent.

CC has lost another great player.

My condolences to his loved ones and to Ascension.

[SoN!c]

Rest in peace Chuck. So sorry to hear. May he live forever as a ghost spirit force in any future A^ game.

Condolences.

[josko.ri]

Now you are with Angels chuuck, your Angel is Uriel, I will miss our freestyles "who gets first turn"

would someone make memorial tourney, as we made for CaronylCluster?

[TrafalgarLaw01]

Damn, I had no idea he was going through that.
Great guy Chuck. Always fun to play in freestyle even when he was way faster. Fun read the obituary btw.
Sad to lose great another great person for CC.

[Iron Maid]

Sad to hear he's gone.

Great opponent during the years.

Condolences to friends and family.

[LEQUEEN]

15 years playing against him ... Its a very sad news

RIP Chuck D, condolences to his family and friends

[Swimmerdude99]

Well crud. Hate to see another one gone. He was one of the leftover speed legends. Never got to know the guy, but sorry for your loss.

Its tough to see online friends go. Tugs the strings just as badly.

[4 U 2 NV]

sorry for the loss. He left a lasting memory in the CC community. condolences to all who are affected.