Lost a Good One Today
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118435)
Gainesville, Florida
June 22, 2020 8:50pm CST
The world lost a good one today. There are few people you come across in life who discover their passion at an early age and not only enjoy it, but embrace it, pursue it, strive to become the best at it, then conquer those dreams and travel the world time and time again, sharing that passion with others. Tim was that man for paintball and, sadly, he passed away unexpectedly this morning. He was only 36.
.
Tim was my teammate in the sport of paintball, my closest friend, and the first guy to embrace me and take me in under his wings when I went pro three years ago. He rode me hard on the practice field, but only because he saw the potential in me and cared about me a great deal. But no matter how hard he pushed, he always had a smile on his face. Tim was a guy I was proud to call my brother.
He had two passions in life, and pursued them with a sense of purpose like no other. The first was paintball, where he was truly considered one of the best in the game. The second was his love of travel. When he wasn't playing tournaments, Tim was off jet-setting around the globe to far away locales. He always enjoyed meeting new people, exploring new lands, and understanding and accepting other cultures. He embraced life.
Tim will be remembered for his brilliance, his laughter, his friendship, and the leadership he portrayed on and off the field. The contributions he made to paintball are immeasurable and the void his loss brings to our band of brothers is unfathomable. Please join me in keeping his family and close friends in our hearts and prayers as we all cope with his passing. Tim, a true gentleman on and off the field, will never be forgotten.
The photo is my last picture taken with Tim, back in June, in the final game of our second tournament of the season. I'm on the left, and Tim is on the top right (#40).
Tim, I hope you are sitting in heaven tonight smiling down on all of us. Someday, brother, I will join you in heaven where we will enjoy a beer together once again!
25 people like this
26 responses
@Juliaacv (48415)
• Canada
23 Jun 20
@moffittjc That was very touching what you wrote about him.
He must have been a terrific person.
Try to keep his spirit alive and embrace the best things that he had to offer, and flash a smile in his memory.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you so much! He was so well loved in the sport, even by his rivals. No matter how much people may have tried, they just couldn't help but to like Tim. He just had that infectious personality that drew people to him. I don't think I ever saw him not smiling. I hope he is looking down from heaven and smiling on every person whose life he touched.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
@Juliaacv I'm a positive and upbeat guy by nature, but I don't think I can ever be as warm, friendly and loving as he always was. I can certainly try, but I don't think anybody can live up to Tim's amazingly infectious personality.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129453)
• Israel
26 Jul 20
@moffittjc
I am so so sorry for your loss. He was very young. That must have been that much hard to lose him since you two were so close.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Jul 20
I'm still devastated, even a month later. Our team practiced together this morning for the first time since his passing, and it just was a rough day for all of us. We all still miss him greatly.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Jul 20
@Hannihar Time heals all wounds, as they say, so I'm sure we'll all eventually be okay, but at the same time keep Tim in our hearts and always remember him for the fun and loving guy he was.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129453)
• Israel
27 Jul 20
@moffittjc
It is very understandable how you and everyone else feels. He was very much a part of all of you and especially you. I am so so sorry for your loss and hope one day it will be less painful.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
23 Jun 20
OMG, I am so sorry...36?? What happened?
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
23 Jun 20
@moffittjc That really sucks, I am sorry for you, and his friends and family.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
We still don't know any of the details, although I'm hoping we can get some more information in the next day or two.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
30 Jun 20
Jeff, I am so very sorry for your loss. Reading your post just broke my heart. Its painful any time someone passes away but to be so young and for it to be unexpected has to be shocking. He sounds like he was a wonderful, caring person. Praying for you, his family and friends to get through this difficult time 
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
4 Jul 20
@moffittjc That is fantastic that the goal has almost been met! I think a statue of him would make him proud.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
7 Jul 20
@moffittjc I think that sounds beautiful.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jul 20
@simone10 We have exceeded the goal of $50,000 raised. As of last night, the amount raised was $53,000, and they have decided to keep the campaign going. The original $50,000 was just the cost of the life-size bronze statue alone, but now they are going to continue raising money so they can also create a memorial plaque, as well as create a landscaped garden around his statue.
1 person likes this
@SHOHANA (16094)
• Bangladesh
26 Jun 20
@moffittjc yes I have no complain to my life just feel like achieve less than the others
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Jun 20
@SHOHANA It's not good to compare ourselves to others. That's not how we should measure our self-worth. I don't think anything good can come of it if we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. Find what works best for you, what makes you happy, and what makes you satisfied in life. And then be content with yourself for who you are and what you have achieved.
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Jun 20
Don't feel down about your life. Your life is what you make it. And I'm sure you have a wonderful life.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you Carol. I just feel shell-shocked right now. Still can't believe this is really happening.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
23 Jun 20
@moffittjc I do understand. Talk if you need to. I am here to listen.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
24 Jun 20
@moffittjc I hope you get answers soon.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jun 20
Thank you Tammy, I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you! I'm still in shock this morning.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Jun 20
I can't imagine @moffittjc My condolences to his family as well.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Jun 20
Sorry to hear about your friend. That is too young to go. You have good memories of him.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Jun 20
@moffittjc That is a wonderful memory
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jun 20
@wolfgirl569 Thank you. That's how he was with everyone. He put others before himself. He was a true servant leader.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
My favorite memory of him will always be the moment I met him, when I was a wide-eyed rookie joining the pro ranks for the first time. It was at World Cup 3 years ago, and the team was in a fiercely competitive battle with another team that eventually won the Cup. Coach brought me to the team pit area to introduce me to the players and crew, and it was right before the players were about to take the field for an important game. Tim immediately dropped what he was dong and came over and welcomed me, even though he needed to get ready for the important game coming up. He always put others first before himself. I never forgot that.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you for your kind words Dianne. I'm a little shell-shocked today, as it's finally sinking in that he's really gone.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
@DianneN Words well spoken!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
23 Jun 20
@moffittjc I’m sure you are. I know you will always remember the good times you’ve had with him.
He will leave a great hole in your heart for many years. May he RIP and keep an eye on you from above.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you Valerie, I appreciate the condolences and words of prayer.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43074)
• Staten Island, New York
23 Jun 20
Sorry for your loss! He was too young to go.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
@lovebuglena That is true. I hope it wasn't anything suspect. I've always known Tim to be an outstanding and class act kind of guy
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you. His loss goes to show that we never know when our time is up.
@lovebuglena (43074)
• Staten Island, New York
23 Jun 20
@moffittjc Very true. And sometimes it's not our health that kills us but outside factors we can't control.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
There is a huge empty hole in my heart right now. I know that eventually I will fill it with my love and admiration for my teammate and friend, and the wonderful memories he left behind. But for now, I am just feeling this incredible sense of emptiness.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
@Shunnan Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I fully understand that our time on this earth is just temporary.
1 person likes this
@Shunnan (2106)
•
23 Jun 20
@moffittjc too sad but this is life we are only temporary here. It takes a lot of time to move on but i know you will.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
24 Jun 20
I am truly sorry for your loss, he is way too young to be gone!! Will keep him and his family and friends in my prayers
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jun 20
Thank you Isabelle, I really appreciate it. This was a hard one for me to come to grips with.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you, I'm heartbroken and devastated.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jun 20
Thank you. I was telling my girlfriend last night that one of two things is going to happen. Either we are going to grow closer and stronger as a team and win the next tournament for Tim, or we're going to come completely unglued and fall apart. The next few months is going to test the collective character of our team.
@LindaOHio (156056)
• United States
23 Jun 20
I am truly, truly sorry, Jeff. To lose such a close friend at such a young age is terrible. You have written a beautiful eulogy for him. May he rest in peace and may you see him again one day.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you Linda, I appreciate your kind words.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85274)
• Bangalore, India
23 Jun 20
Tim lived a short life but one with king size heart and passion. He sounds like a vibrant man and would have touched many hearts. The void will exist. May his soul rest in peace. Condolences to family and friends.
May I know why Tim had to leave the world so early??
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Jun 20
Thank you for your kind words. We don't yet know what happened or why Tim was taken from this world so early. I hope we can find out soon.
