RetroTIGuy Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 @Airshack is a good guy and AtariAge user, many of us met him here due to their association with the TI-99/4A, Atari 5200, TRS-80 Model III and other platforms. Over the years he's became a man I truly admired and respected. A former United States Air Force officer, a pilot for Southwest Airlines and the creator of a couple of real good TI-99/4A games as well. Unfortunately James/Airshack is losing his battle with stage 4 cancer and will not be with us much longer. So if you've sent him any PM's, please be aware he's under Hospice care and cannot even text anymore. It's sad that the good ones we admire always seem to leave us first. I will miss him. Some of us here met him for the first time in person at the Fest West in Woodland, Washington a few years ago and he was truly one of those type of people who leave a lasting and positive impression. To those of us who knew him, I'm sure there will be a void, but for his wife and two daughters I feel extremely sad that they will be losing undoubtedly the most important and influential person in their lives. His wife Jean is overwhelmed with 100's of texts she hasn't been able to answer yet, so she asks you to forgive her if she does not answer you right away. She also thanks everyone for their love and prayers. Kevan 2 1 1 34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrospect Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 This is terrible news Kevan. Airshack's a talented, great chap. My love to him and his family. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+retroclouds Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Thank you for informing us Kevan. So sad to hear that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ti99iuc Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 I had started writing with James because of the game SCRAA and then I had a great time testing all the beta versions of Escape from North Korea that he sent. He was always very friendly and inclusive with me and I appreciated that so much. I didn't know he was sick, I'm really sorry. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hwlngmad Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Appreciate you letting us all know. Just getting into the TI99 scene, so even though I don't know anyone really it is still really sad news to hear someone going through what he and his family are experiencing. I pray that his affairs are in order that he can pass on from this world in relative peace and as painless as possible. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Lee Stewart Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 So sad to hear this. My best to him and his family. ...lee 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 I will definitely miss this fellow Air Force vet. . .my best to him and his family in this trying time. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteE Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 This makes me so sad, I don't even know what to say. I met James/Airshack in person at Fest West'17, and saw him again later at PRGE a few years ago. I loved seeing the games he made, and seeing the progress and results of his learning to program assembly language. Such a nice guy, he will be missed. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TheBF Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 I don' t like cancer. I did not know @Airshack but it is clear from these posts that he lived a full life and is respected and loved. What more can a man ask for? My thoughts are with him and his wife and family. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteE Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 I'll always remember the story of him and Sparkdrummer flying into Portland for FW'17 and since they didn't bring a monitor on the plane, they went to a Goodwill store and got one for a few bucks, so that Airshack could present his game "Sparkdrummer's Challenge". And gave the monitor to Omega after the event. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senior_falcon Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 So sorry to hear this news. Although I never met him, I have always enjoyed his contributions to this forum. My sympathies to the entire family. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Thank you for letting us know, Kevan. Very sorry to hear this news. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOME AUTOMATION Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 AIR, we were supposed to share a beer... Now I'm left to shed a tear... We'll meet again in some years... When I reach that great abyss... Until then ...you will be missed! 💖 May you rest in eternal bliss. 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ksarul Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Airshack -------- Airshack, Airshack, Programmed a stack, Of really kewl TI hacks. I truly wish we had him back. See what you did, @HOME AUTOMATION? You got me writing weird poetry again. I wrote a bunch of these in high school as a twisted response to an English teacher's requirement to write six four-line poems over the weekend using a recognizable form. He really wasn't expecting one of his students to create their own form for the assignment, but it was worth it to see the expression on his face when I told him what I'd done. I've been writing them off and on ever since, and now there's one for my buddy @Airshack. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrospect Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 He's in this video at 3m 30s 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabrice montupet Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 (edited) Such a sad news. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family. Edited January 20, 2023 by fabrice montupet 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count9929A Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 I am heartbroken with this news. I hope that the days he has left are the best possible for him and his family. ln these days I will honor him by playing his games exclusively 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift838 Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 It has been confirmed, Airshack lost his battle with the cancer on January 19, 2023. I just found out today, thought everyone should know as I did not see any updates. Airshack and I had quite a few discussions on here as well as speaking on the phone from time to time. He was a fellow Air Force Vet and we would talk about those days compare stories. He was a very talented man and will be missed. His obituary is at http://legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/james-shackel-obituary?id=39585348 2 7 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 I will miss him around here. He was an affable guy, for sure. Fly high, Captain. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Charlie Cat Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 Tragic to say the least on the passing of a great man. God rest his soul and wishing his family all the best during these difficult times. Anthony.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 When I first started playing with video games and computers, age 58 seemed so old and far away. Now that I'm almost there, it seems incredibly young. Very sad news... my condolences to his family and friends. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlidellMan Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 To his wife and two daughters: I am terribly sorry. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbdigriz Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 Drat. Very sorry to read this. My condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.