Amen to those words buddy. Joe was a member here but as far as I know, never did post anything, just read and followed the discussions. Joe lived in Edgemont so we got to see him and talk daily, and really notice the missing link around here. Joe had a theory on metals deposits around volcanic vents, that I have not been able to disprove and might be correct, that due to the weight (specific gravity) differences, gold would always be found in a 'ring' around the vent at the closest distance, then silver, and lastly copper. It seems to hold true where volcanic calderas exist with metallic minerals around them.
Diamond Joe got his nickname by the usual way - he found diamonds where no one had ever found them before, one particular instance he hired a geologist to examine and test the site because he thought it was a kimberlite pipe, and sure enough it is, with gem quality diamonds, just needs to be eroded another forty feet or so and it will be on the surface. That said, he never found a diamond at the Arkansas diamond mine/state park, although one visit would hardly be a good test of his abilities to spot them. Now that he is gone, no one will know where that kimberlite pipe is located until nature erodes down the surface.
I wish he had told me that he was quitting the chemo, we could have done more to settle his accounts/business instead of the mad scramble we have been trying to deal with. I was driving him for his appointments as he was not willing or able to drive more than a couple of blocks in town, I should have known something was up when he didn't have any more appointments after December 7th, though at the time I thought it would just continue after the holiday. He was 61 when he died, spent 20 days suffering in the hospital unable to speak, swallow, stand, sit or move anything but his eyes. I hope no one else has to go through that.
Thanks to you all for the kind words and wishes, I really do appreciate it.
Roy