[carowindsman6654]

In total shock right now. I sat right next to Max at the bar with Wormy, Jarvis, and Arby after the Fury 325 announcement. I don't even know what to say at the current moment. Speechless.

[coasterbruh]

Sigh...I just knew my friend was gonna pull thru as everyone else but fate can be a unpredictable thing. I cannot remember my first interactions with max because it feels like I've known him forever. While I am cool with a lot of people on here and in the coaster community but max and me became close friends naturally. Max helped my relationship with the park, convinced others I'm not that much of an ******* in person, always held the camera when I humped B&M track and exposed me to mr dependable lol lol (inside joke). I'm deeply sadden and hurt but I know his family and chad and his #bff doug is taking it the hardest. Who am I gonna crack jokes at the park with now...I now have one less phone number to text the most obscene and dark humor and who's gonna update me on the scooter critters? I can truly say I lost a friend today and not someone to ride coasters with.

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[MarkD]

There are no words to describe the feeling of loosing Max. I have known Max for quite a while and although I did not know him as well as some of you I always considered him a true and honest friend.

At the revealing of Fury 325 it was great to see him again and to catch up on what's been going on. He was the same ole Max, quick witted and funny but truthful and honest.

I will keep him, his family and his BFF in my thoughts.

They say time heals but they forget to tell you of the scar it left behind to constantly remind you of what was. It was my privilege to know Max and call him friend.

Goodbye Max, we will miss you.

Jarvis, that is an awesome picture. Thank you.

[KenB]

I wasn't as close to Max as some here but have known him for over 10 years and am glad that I did. I remember talking with him quite a bit as we were waiting for the BORG commercial shoot when they were serving coffee and doughnuts in the old Country Kitchen. I can still picture him in his orange Tony Stewart Home Depot jacket he was wearing that day.

I always remember his humor here, in person, and on Facebook as he would be commenting on customers at his job or some of the more, um, interesting folks in our hobby. As somewhat of a sarcastic smartass myself I'd always appreciate his take on things.

I was so glad to see him doing better and able to ride some coasters this year, and was thrilled to see him at the Fury 325 announcement - he looked like he was feeling better than he had in some years. I was hoping he'd be able to ride it with the rest of us next year. Man, it's gonna be bittersweet riding that monster for the first time knowing that Max won't be around to enjoy it with us.

[Edwardo]

Jarvis really hit the nail on the head. Max wasn't just a 'coaster buddy', Max was actually a friend.

Last year for new years, I was really down about a lot of things and waiting for things to get better (which they eventually did), and my usual cohorts for NYE all bailed (for good reasons). And as I was sitting at my usual NYE Haunt, Max, Doug, and Chad walked in and I was so happy to not be spending the evening by myself (amongst a bunch of people I was really only acquainted with). They had shown up the year before (or was it the last 2 years? My how time flies). I doubt he knew how much it meant that they showed up (and Doug, I'll be eternally grateful you and Chad were there too), because none of them knew how much I needed to see some familiar faces that I could actually talk to. But it really made my nite.

New Years Eve, Opening Day, and SCarowinds are going to be a little more lonely next year. Knowing that I won't get that random text or can't send that random text is gonna be even worse.

Max was a really special guy.

[Nctodbear]

This is such sad news and such a loss for so many. I officially met Max at the preview for Intimidator but we had talked for a couple of years prior. He had such a big heart, and a great sense of humor. My regret is not having been able to be closer to him. I am sorry for everyone's loss as I can see how many people he meant so much to.

Prayers going out for his family, friends and loved ones.

[Merthecat]

Even though I never met him, I always enjoyed his posts, and I know that he will be deeply missed. He left too soon.

My thoughts and prayers are going out to his family and friends.

[Tawny71]

This has been weighing heavy on my heart ever since we found out at the ACE event this weekend that things were bad. I was very saddened when I found out he was unresponsive, and truly distressed when I found out he had passed. I had only met Max once, but he seemed like a really great guy. I definitely loved his posts, and was always impressed with his sense of humor. He was so good at reining people in when things started to get a little punchy, and doing it in a way that usually made me giggle.

I know a lot of us have never met IRL, but I feel like I've gotten to know a lot of you through your posts. And some of the people that I have met IRL have become what I consider to be actual friends. Losing someone from here (and a fellow ACEr), is like losing a member of this odd little family that coaster enthusiasts are. And losing someone so young is always sorrowful, too.

To those of you who knew and loved Max, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that you can find some peace through this difficult time. I'm continuing to pray for all his loved ones.

[FamousAmos]

I never actually knew him, and I agree with Tawny that we have lost a part of the family. When I checked my email, ACE had sent an email about his passing. As I read it, it was difficult to hide my emotions. Part of us is gone. Every time I come onto the forum, I think about his passing.That's one thing that we'll never forget. His posts always made me laugh. It;s funny isn't it? How you get to know someone through a forum and they become your friend. Then you meet for the first time and the fun only begins. Many of you were more acquainted with Max, more as a brother than a friend perhaps.
I really don't know what to say.

To the family and closest friends I have the utmost compassion. There's nothing that could fill the space left behind; nothing that can be said that could change the past. All I can say, really, is make each day count. I'm sure that Max made every day count.

[Jonathan]

Service details:

Friday, November 28
1:00 PM: Receiving
2:00 PM: Funeral Service

Mt Home Baptist Church
2272 Mt Home Church Rd
Morganton, NC 28655


We will be sending flowers on behalf of CC members.

[FamousAmos]

I will not be able to come. I hope that every thing will be okay. For those of you who will be going, I hope you have a safe trip and have a happy Thanksgiving.

[Jonathan]

Max's obituary and space to share memories and photos can be found here: http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/M ... -101912589

[Wormy]

It’s a struggle to write this, so I’ll be brief.

Max and I met through this site, the day he PM’d me for permission to use a pic for an ACE publication. Through a variety of things we found in common it wasn’t long until we became fast friends. Not just through appreciation of our home park, but concerts, events, weekend trips, projects, hunting dinosaur, New Year's Eve debauchery, the like. Often on a daily basis, we kept in touch in some form, through hard times and good, but always, always with humor; if neighbors outside ever wondered while I was laughing hysterically, it’s because I had him on the phone. He wasn’t flashy or flamboyant, rather he was simple and straightforward, but his impish brain was always working overtime. His biting and wickedly funny sarcasm was usually muttered under his breath, and if you were within earshot, you were in for a show.

Sadly, his health problems wouldn’t cut him a break. He had been following doctor’s orders to take it easy, which kept him from the parks he loved. He was finally able to work up to the last C3 event - his ‘baby’, and was able to get back onto Intimidator for the first time in a few years. I had the pleasure of sitting by his side, watching his face grow from apprehension, to relief, joy, then finally throwing his hands back up in the air. I’ll never forget it, and we’ll keep a seat empty for him.

I chatted with him briefly the night before he lost consciousness (he was loving his new Pink Floyd album), and I was on his way to visit in a couple of days to bring him headphones, (and whatever other contraband he wanted me to smuggle). On Monday, the family graciously let me in to see him in the hospital on his final afternoon, and he looked as dapper as ever.

We'll bury our friend tomorrow, but on this day of giving thanks, I'm thankful he was a part of my life, and hopefully yours.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

~Doug

[Tawny71]

Your post made me cry. It's rare to make such a connection with someone, and I'm so glad that you have such great memories of him. Cherish those memories. They're more valuable than any material thing I can think of.

I'll be praying for you and all his loved ones while you're at the memorial tomorrow.

[FamousAmos]

I will be doing the same. I can relate to your post Wormy, with someone else who passed this year. I will keep all of you in prayer.