Tom Kaye Retires from Paintball, AGD Under New Management

[HoppysMag]

best luck in anything you go onto tom. you have been one of, if not the top name in the industry. you have brought the game many great inventions. dont be a stranger to the forum though!

[nastymag]

wow tom , i didnt expect this.

well we all appreciate so much what you have done for us as a community.

as you can see all the heavy posters have shown how much they will miss you.

Best of Wishes

Silvestre Da Costa

[Blennidae]

[Tunaman]

Tom,
Even though I knew about this a while back, I am all busted up reading these posts from all these guys who love the same thing as I do...AGD. You have taught me almost everything I know about mags, and no one could have ever done a better job. I just want to thank you for everything you and your company has done for me. No other company has ever given me what AGD has given me. I will devote the rest of my paintball career to the AutoMag. It shall never die as long as I am alive to keep it going. Tell Dave to hold the fort, as he very well knows already that we are behind him 100%. Anything he needs just let me know. Let the good times roll now, and best of luck in all you do from here on in. Lots of love and best wishes from all of us here. Long live AGD!
Oh...now you have time to go Tuna Fishing so dont give me any crap. Mark the calendar for late august 2005. Talk to you soon.

[lather]

Tom, you have my utmost respect and gratitude. I wish you nothing but happiness and sucess in your future endeavors!

[mrhooie]

Tom, thanks for the innovations that you've brought to Paintball. Thanks for the quality products that you and your company have designed over the years.

I hope that retirement treats you well and I know I speak for more than just myself when I say, "thanks for being you".

You've made the past 7 years fun for me
Hughie
Splat Entertainment
Yellowknife, NT Canada

[jctam]

later Tom. Thanks for the Mags and the awsome company you built.

[blackclown]

goodbye!

good luck on the fossil digging and telescope making......

[Thordic]

Tom, I wish I could say this is a huge surprise, but its not. I remember having a conversation with you in the bar at IAO, and it just left me with a feeling. I can't say I expected this, but it isn't all that surprising.

Over the years, you've been a lot of things to the paintball industry. An innovater, a player, and advice-giver, a gun-maker, a proof-seeker, and most importantly, a friend to a lot of people. You may think you'll be forgotten in a year, but I doubt thats possible. You've had too big an impact upon this sport that even in its changing / decaying form, you're name will still be heard and recognized for years to come.

There's a few things about you that stand out to anyone who meets you.

First is your approachability. At every event I've seen you at, you take time out to talk to those who want to talk. Whether its just for a quick hello, or eating donuts and gossiping, or hosting tech classes out for free on your own time, I've never seen you turn anyone away or tell them you were too busy. Tons of industries leaders don't make themselves approachable to their customers and fans, your friendliness has always made you stand out amongst your peers.

Another thing is your enthusiasm for the sport. I don't think I've met many people who I can honestly say are as in love with paintball as you are. I've seen you up late at night plotting how to best destroy Shatner, seen you getting excited over new breakthroughs in technology, and I've unfortunately seen you deeply hurt about the direction the sport is heading in.

You've invented technology that has changed the face of paintball, but I think perhaps your greatest contribution may have been your involvement in acquiring and promoting AO. Building a business is an accomplishment, but one lots of people are capable of. Building a community that has grown in so many ways is amazing.

AOers are more than just people who talk on the internet. A lot of us have formed tight and meaningful friendships with people who live halfway across the country, or sometimes halfway across the globe. And you've played a part in that. In a lot of ways, you're the father to the AO community. I can't even count the number of kids I see on AO who look up to you almost as a second father. I know right now you are probably feeling kind of low, but just try to think about the positive effect you have had on so many people. You've become a part of peoples lives. And thats something no one will forget.

I truly hope that while you and AGD may have parted ways, you can still find time to stay in contact with all those on AO who still consider you a friend and a role-model. I know at times through the years we've put you through hell, but we're still here for you and I hope that doesn't change.

The community you've begun won't die, it won't fade away or be forgotten. AO is your legacy, and in my opinion, thats something to be truly proud of. When you think about whats been done on this website, its awe-inspiring.

I wish you luck in all your future endeavors, I'm sure with your intelligence and enthusiam you'll be able to accomplish whatever it is you set your mind to.

Sincerely,

Brian "Thordic" Casani

[PissedGodzilla]

wow.... I wish I had the chance to meet you and pick your brain like I always hoped I would... I know I am fairly new to the sport, but I know when a class act is a class act.
Thank you for beginning this journey that all of us now enjoy walking on....


P.S. if you ever need a hand I would love to join you on a bone hunt.. lol I think alot of us would.


Good luck to you, and know that all the hard work you have done is apreciated by many.

[Eric Of Extreme Measures]

Who Am I going to Stalk Now?

Well who am I going to bother now? Whats the new guys e-mail address?
Hope it wasnt me that drove you Crazy?

Hey you are the only KING that would climb off the thrown to meet the people and fight right with us. it has been an honor to have known you and I will never forget what you have done for this industry. We all know you have to do what you have to in life, you are # 1 and you have to look out for #1. thanks for looking out for all of us all these years.

I will still stalk you at the Shatner events though!!!!

Where's my signed rail TOM?
I could start a museum of signed Tom Kaye stuff in my Rec Room, $3 bucks at the door!

Eric
You are the Man and always will be the MAN!

[minimagjim]

The last of the cowboys

Words escape me on how I feel at this moment. Its a sad truth that paintball is not how it was before. I have only played since 2000 and I have seen changes I dont like. I can just imagine how it feels to be at the beginning and see how it is now. What is sad to see though is that Tom Kaye was the last cowboy. And I believe that he did not lose that fight. He did not give in, he merely left. This is a truely sad day, but AGD is still here.

WE STILL HAVE OUR .68'S, MINIMAGS, RT'S, EMAGS, AND XMAGS.

NO ONE CAN TAKE THESE AWAY FROM US!!!

Carry on what you have been taught from this man. That we must look above hype or fads and seek what is real and what is true. I will not forget his contributions to the sport and neither should any of us. When someone says "whos Tom Kaye?" you tell them. When someone snubs your mag, you own them. This is how we dont lose. This is how we keep the legacy alive.

Tom, I have only met you on a few occasions and all of them were a great honor. The first time I met you was the weekend after the 1st Shatnerball at Bad Boyz Toyz in Lansing, IL. I was walking to my car and I noticed you, and could not believe it. But when I was snooping about you asked me to come on over and hang with a few others. We got donuts from your truck and sat around talking about what happend at shatnerball and I got to see the Shanter Xmag in person, and got to hold an Xmag before any of my friends even knew what it was. That day will be with me as long as I live. Meeting a legend and eating donuts with him.

Good luck with whatever path you choose. You shall be missed.

My friends and I both were priveledged to play along side you at Shatnerball 3 and at the AO-IL day at CCP. And in the future we would be honored to play at your side whenever that may be.

Thank you for everything you have done for us and the paintball community.

[Os_Gardi]

Well, I know I'm not exatcly a regular here but its still disheartening to see first generation pioneers fade away. I wish the best for you, your family, and AGD.

[wispaintstyle]

The Paintball world will miss you. Here's to Teknut's new life

Now the old gaurd have all gone west. I feel almost as if middle earth has faded a little.

[rifleman wi]

sad to see you go.. but atleast i got to meet you and play alongside you at the big game at PB sams in october... that was alot of fun.... good luck on whatever you persue.....