# STAN FUKUOKA DIES

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2024-08-28  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2024/08/28/stan-fukuoka-dies

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## Analysis

Stan Fukuoka, a legendary pinball artist who created artwork for Capcom Pinball's Breakshot, Big Bang Bar, and Kingpin, has passed away at age 69 following complications from leukemia. His distinctive art style made him one of the most recognizable and influential artists in pinball history. A memorial service is planned for September 4th, with the family requesting donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Stan Fukuoka created artwork for Capcom Pinball's Breakshot, Big Bang Bar, and Kingpin — _Pinball News official obituary with specific game titles and career timeline_
- [HIGH] Big Bang Bar was manufactured by Pinball Manufacturing Inc./Illinois Pin Ball with under 200 units built after Capcom Pinball closed — _Pinball News historical documentation of manufacturing history_
- [HIGH] Stan Fukuoka was admitted to Edward's Hospital in Naperville over the weekend and died on Monday from leukemia complications at age 69 — _Obituary notification with hospital name and specific timeline_
- [HIGH] Stan had careers as a toy designer and animator before prominence in pinball — _Career overview in official obituary_

### Notable Quotes

> "Stan's individualistic style made his artwork as instantly recognisable as it was highly desirable."
> — **Pinball News (editorial)**
> _Characterizes Stan's artistic legacy and impact on pinball art community_

> "His family request that, in lieu of sending flowers, well-wishers should make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society."
> — **Family statement via Pinball News**
> _Memorial service information and family's preferred tribute_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stan Fukuoka | person | Legendary pinball artist (1955-2024), created artwork for Capcom Pinball titles Breakshot, Big Bang Bar, and Kingpin; also worked as toy designer and animator |
| Tracy Fukuoka | person | Stan's wife, survived by his family |
| Capcom Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer active 1995 onwards; commissioned Stan for artwork on Breakshot, Big Bang Bar, and Kingpin before division closure |
| Pinball Manufacturing Inc./Illinois Pin Ball | company | Manufacturer that produced Big Bang Bar prototypes after Capcom Pinball closure, built under 200 units |
| Breakshot | game | Capcom Pinball's third release with Stan Fukuoka artwork (1997) |
| Big Bang Bar | game | Capcom Pinball design that never went into full production; later manufactured as prototype by Illinois Pin Ball with Stan's artwork; under 200 units built |
| Kingpin | game | Capcom Pinball design with Stan Fukuoka artwork; never manufactured despite plans by Illinois Pin Ball and Circus Maximus team |
| Edward's Hospital | organization | Hospital in Naperville where Stan was admitted and treated before his death |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | organization | Charity beneficiary per family's memorial request |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Pinball art and design history, Capcom Pinball era (1990s), Community loss and memorial
- **Secondary:** Prototypes and unreleased games

### Sentiment

**Negative** (-0.95) — Obituary content with respectful tone announcing death of influential community figure; deeply somber subject matter reflecting significant loss to pinball community and art world

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** Death of legendary pinball artist Stan Fukuoka marks significant loss to pinball community; memorial service planned for September 4th with requests for charitable donations (confidence: high) — Official obituary from Pinball News announcing death and memorial service details

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## Transcript

Artist Stanley (Stan) Fukuoka has passed away. He was admitted to Edward’s Hospital in Naperville at the weekend following a complication from his ongoing battle with Leukemia, but succumbed to the illness on Monday. He was aged 69 and is survived by his wife, Tracy, stepdaughter Rachel, and grandchildren Tristan and Dawson.

![Stan and Tracy surrounded by examples of Stan's work](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/stan-fukuoka-dies/01-stan-fukuoka-dies.jpg)

Stan and Tracy surrounded by examples of Stan’s work
(Picture: Vincent Giovannone)

Alongside careers as a toy designer and animator, Stan came to prominence in the pinball world soon after Capcom’s pinball division was launched in 1995.

He created the artwork for the company’s third release, Breakshot, followed by two titles which, although never going into production, soon became highly desirable. Capcom Pinball closed before Big Bang Bar and Kingpin were scheduled to be manufactured, with only a small number of prototype games built.

![Stan's Big Bang Bar translite artwork](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/stan-fukuoka-dies/03-stan-fukuoka-dies.jpg)

Stan’s Big Bang Bar translite artwork (minus the title)

Big Bang Bar was subsequently manufactured by Pinball Manufacturing Inc./Illinois Pin Ball with a little under 200 units built. Meanwhile, both Illinois Pin Ball and the Circus Maximus team announced their intention to make Kingpin games, although nothing came of those plans.

![Stan's Kingpin translite artwork](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/stan-fukuoka-dies/04-stan-fukuoka-dies.jpg)

Stan’s Kingpin translite artwork

Stan’s individualistic style made his artwork as instantly recognisable as it was highly desirable. You can see many examples of his work on his website stanfukuoka.com where you can also purchase the original paintings of his pinball translites.

There is a memorial service planned for Tuesday 4th September. His family request that, in lieu of sending flowers, well-wishers should make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. at lls.org.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 30b7f5bd-6aa1-4791-875a-f85ae729a9ae*