Last week as I was back in Maryland checking on our branch in the Baltimore area, I got a call from a dear friend of mine back home in Bellevue. We work closely with each other back home so hearing from Tyson a couple times a day is pretty standard. As I answered the phone "hey", like I always do, Tyson didn't even give me a chance to follow up with my customary "what's up?" before he said, "Joe Magee died".
Had he not said "Joe Magee" I probably would have asked "Joe who?" but because he was only 43 and had more energy that anyone I have ever met the thought of Joe Magee would have NEVER entered my mind. In any other conversation we've ever had about Joe there was no need for Magee to be mentioned. When you talked about "Joe" everyone knew who you were talking about.
It's taken me 7 days to be able to write about Joe and I'm struggling to do it even now. The reason I'm sitting here now to do it is because his service is tomorrow and I want to be able to tell Joe how much he meant to me even though I never had a chance to do it while he was still alive. We were friends and Joe knew that, but I don't think he knew that he inspired me in a fashion that I have never experienced in my 29 years on this earth.
I know that Joe is looking down on me as I write this and this is what I want to tell him........
Joe,
I remember the first time I met you. I was with Tyson and Lance in the parking garage of our building as you bee bopped (because anyone who knew you knows that's what you did) out of the elevator on your way to wherever you were going. You were always going somewhere.
"Money never sleeps, Dawg", right?
You were obviously in a hurry but you took the time to stop and have Tyson and Lance introduce me to you. I'd heard so much about you already but it none of what was said compared to getting to know you over the next four years.
I miss you!!! Since I never got a chance to tell you the impact you had on me, I'm going to try now.
Your energy was absolutely contagious. In the six months we worked side by side every day there was never a time I was in your presence that I didn't feel like I could conquer the world. I can't recall one time we left a room together, after meeting with one person or ten, that everyone in your wake didn't have the same feeling I got to experience everyday.
Your determination to succeed was unparalled. No matter what obstacles stood in your way, you were like a freight train barreling through them. It was hard to keep up with you. Even though you'd already knocked the wall down walking through it behind you was sometimes a little tough. Freight trains leave a lot of debris when they destroy a wall. I'm honored to have been able to clean some of it up. I never had a doubt that together we could do something fantastic. I'm sorry I didn't have the courage to stand up for you when things didn't turn out exactly like we'd planned them.
Thank you for reintroducing me to God. I never went back with you because I wasn't ready yet. I really want to thank you for not pressuring me and still having the same opinion of me. That freedom you gave me to decide for myself is something your wisdom allowed you to do. My relationship with God is stronger because of you and I have an eternity to be thankful to you for that.
Your kids are two of the most well mannered, beautiful children that I have ever come across. I hope they know that their dad was loved by so many people and that you will guide them through life with a soft touch from heaven.
This one seems so inconsequential but you were the best dresser. You really taught me that the way other people perceive you can mean a lot in business and there first perceptions are generally based on your appearance. Even though your tailor won't stop calling me to see if I need anything since you brought him into the office to get fitted for those suits, I still appreciate it.
Playing basketball with you was a real treat. Even though that jumper was the ugliest thing I've seen since middle school and if you tried to shoot over me it usually ended up on your forehead, I'd give anything to be able to take an elbow to the nose again as you flailed for a rebound. Even as I sit here in tears, I can still chuckle at that ugly jumper. I know, I know, it was about results.
You had an undefinable quality that I can't even begin to describe. I think the fact that Ann had to postpone the service so people can fly in from across the country and even overseas to be there is a testament to that.
I'm going to be a new dad Joe. I never got to tell you. The last time I saw you we knew, but we weren't really telling anyone yet because it was early. I wanted to tell anyways because I knew how much you loved being a father and how happy you would have been for me. I meant to grab you before you left and tell you, but you bee bopped out before I could. I'll really miss being able to share that with you. I saw the way you were with your kids and I'm so remorseful that I won't have you as someone to turn to when I need advice.
I want you to know that a day will never go by that I won't think about you. I love you Joe.
Your friend
"Bobby Brown"
