My father, a 1970 Clemson graduate and a 30-year veteran of the US Army (Ret. Colonel), passed away yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He went by the handle 'gunner6' on TigerNet, though nobody would recognize him because he never once posted. Still, he would log in multiple times every day to catch up on the latest news in Clemson athletics. He would often call me and ask if I'd seen what "those idiots on TigerNet" had posted. While this might seem like an insult, for those who knew him, it was most certainly a term of endearment.
Even in the midst of his brutal battle with cancer, he stayed up to date with the latest happenings right here on this site. I know it brought him great joy, so for that, I want to express a huge thank you to TigerNet and Clemson Nation. He was a Clemson man through and through, taking immense pride in our tailgate traditions. Before his passing, he made two demands to my mother: 1) that his funeral not be held on a Clemson game day, and 2) that she continue their contribution to our family's season tickets.
During one of his first oncology appointments in April, he told the doctor that his goal was to make it to see Clemson beat FSU one last time. Though we didn't secure the win, he did make it to game day. He was heavily sedated on Saturday and hardly responsive. We had the TV on in his bedroom for him to listen, and after the game, I discussed it with him. While I was speaking, he came to, looked at me, and began grunting, as speech was no longer possible. I have no idea what he said, but I imagine it was something along the lines of "Clemson lacks that killer instinct." Win or lose, he loved his Tigers. He passed away Sunday morning.