The pool world lost a great man early this morning.

patrickcues

patrickcues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It was January 8th 2004. I got a phone call from a guy.. He wanted to come see my shop. I told him no. I was done building cues. He goes on about how he just wants to stop by and check it out. He wouldnt be there long. I kept telling him no I was done building cues. At that time he was in Nashville Il about 45 min from me. Well he just kept on and on and on. I bet I spent a 45 min or so on the phone with him telling him I was done he was waisting his time coming. He was relentless to say the least.

You see during this time frame of my life I was addicted to meth. My wife had left me on the 4th of January. At that point all I wanted to was die!! I didnt want to certainly have anyone at my house. Drugs all over the place. I coudnt have anyone there. He continued to insist to come see my shop. Eventually he broke me down. I said ok. I asked him your what 45 min away? His reply was no I will be there in 5 minutes. I made a mad dash to clean up the dope and make it look half way presentable. Knock Knock Knock there he was! Little did I know at that point how one person could help me ...

I think when it was all said and done he spent 3 hours at my shop that evening. He actually got me to consider working again in my shop. And i did start working again.
He told me " I will buy every cue you build until you get it going again" Well lets just say he bought a lot of cues. After some more down time getting cleaned up and going through divorce. I finally got back to building cues.

Looking back he was one of the people that helped save my life. I owe my business to him. If he hadnt been so damn persistent I wouldnt be building cues today!.
Out running joke was " still have that piece of snakewood holding in a windshield"
That was one of the first things he seen when he walked in my shop!!!

Anyway!!!!

I would like to express my deepest heart felt condolences to Hunter Royal and his family. A very great man has passed!!!

To one of my dearest friends! RIP JIM ROYAL!!!!!
 
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Sorry to hear about your friend, my condolences go out. It's good to hear that there are people out there who are willing to help other so much.
 
It is amazing how one person can make such a huge impact. My condolences for your loss, Patrick.
 
Great story! Thanks for sharing. Wish I could have met him.

Larry
 
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A day at a time brother a day at a time.
Great story great man for sure.
Mcp.
 
Sorry for your loss Doug. Mr. Hunter Royal sounds like he was a very nice gentleman. It is a blessing in life to have the chance to meet and become friends with a person that was as giving as Mr. Hunter Royal .

May God comfort and bless both of your families.
 
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I knew the man and was shocked to hear of the news today. He will be missed and I know it will be hard on Hunter. I will keep them in my thoughts.
 
my condolences to you and his family that type of person will truly be missed ....I have been fortunate to have found one who really care's like that and found him here on Azbillards.....
 
My sincerest condolences to Doug & the Royal family. It takes a REALLY special person to be able to see that there is potential in another person when there life is so far gone. I had a friend like Mr.Royal in my life and will never forget him for the help he gave me when no one else would. What a loss. Thank God for people like Mr. Royal!
 
As I tell my children. The more it hurts when you loose someone. The luckier you were to have known them. You were a lucky man. My deepest condolences to you and Mr. Royal's family.
God Bless You
Jim
 
I know Hunter and his dad, not real well but we always talked about cues when we met. Those two are some of the nicest people I know. I'm so sad to hear of his passing, I wish I would have got to know him better.
 
seahorse1877 said:
I know Hunter and his dad, not real well but we always talked about cues when we met. Those two are some of the nicest people I know. I'm so sad to hear of his passing, I wish I would have got to know him better.
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Seahorse

I know we were both very lucky to know Jim. He was certainly one of a kind. He was a rare bird! I was very lucky to meet him and have him for a friend!! Hunter and I was talking last night. He was telling me how his Dad thought the world of me. I never got the chance to tell him what I thought of him!! He was a great man. Always did what he said he was going to do. Told me the truth at no expense!!! I am going to miss him dearly!!!

There is a upside to all this. I was also lucky enough to get to meet and become friends with Hunter! Guess what???? He is a spitting image of his father!!! Another great man!!!
 
Doug

Thank you for the kind words about my dad. He was my best friend. He taught me to play pool and instilled a competitive will to win. He taught me to be a man and a family man. He and I have collected cues for over 15 years. We have met so many good people in the cue world and you were a big influence for us. We loved the trips to your shop and learning something new.

It is going to be very difficult to go to the DCC this year. This is our home event. I have the first weekend off and will be there each of those days. I am going to miss looking at all the cues with him. We would talk for hours about what we saw and what we liked. We would do this on eBay and here on AZ also.

I will miss him and I have been lost since his passing.
 
Sorry about your friend, Doug. He did many of us a great favor indirectly.
Happy you made it through those times.
 
Great story Doug! Condolences to you, Hunter and his family. I personally thank Mr. Royal, because of his persistance with you (Doug), you were able to be a great influence in me becoming a cue repairman/maker.

Zim's Samsung Tablet
 
Hunter

It has been a great pleasure of mine to get to know you father. And another great pleasure of mine to get to know you! He will be greatly missed by all of us that knew him. He single handily saved my business. That is something that I never got to thank him for! More importantly he taught me to never give up no matter how hard things get. And I dont never give up anymore!!!

A lot of people never have a friendship with anyone like the two of you had. I know he will always be with you every where you go. He raised a great son and father and friend!!!
 
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