Just a quick update; pulled the valve cover this past weekend to see if I had a valve hanging open but, alas, that wasn't the problem. Everything looked just perfect under there. No wear, no gunk, no build-up.

Have an appointment on Friday with a mechanic to do a leak down test. They will pump air into the cylinder to see if it holds any air (I doubt it will with no compression in that cylinder). If it doesn't hold air, they will then continue to pump air into the cylinder and try to listen where it's coming out. If they hear it coming out of the exhaust pipe then it's an exhaust valve problem. If they hear it coming out of the intake/throttle body, then it's an intake valve problem. If they hear it coming out of the dipstick, or see the oil bubble, then it's a cylinder problem (hole in the piston, blown rings, scarred cylinder).

Oh boy, can't wait!! (that was sarcasm)