NEWS

Dying Tenn. teacher in viral video from Fort Collins

Sarah Jane Kyle
sarahkyle@coloradoan.com

The bittersweet strains of students singing hymns to their dying teacher in Tennessee have been heard around the world since country star Tim McGraw shared a now viral video of the moment earlier this month.

Though the story has inspired millions, it has also brought comfort and pride to the Fort Collins family of Nashville-area teacher Ben Ellis, a 1984 Fort Collins High School graduate and Colorado State University alumnus.

In August, Ellis posted on his CaringBridge account that he wanted to show God's love to more people, his mother, Colleen "Coco" Ellis, told the Coloradoan Wednesday.

Ben, 50, has esophageal cancer, according to The Tennessean. Parents at his school learned Sept. 6 that he was ceasing treatment and entering hospice care. Shortly after, the Christ Presbyterian Academy decided to gather at his home to worship with him.

Students and teachers from the academy, where Ben taught Latin, stood in his driveway and sang praise songs. Ben sang along softly from his window.

"I just know that this is the way God answered that prayer," Colleen said. "It makes me feel so good to know that he was able to see that answer to prayer."

The video gained momentum quickly, especially after it was shared on McGraw's Facebook page Sept. 10. As of Wednesday morning, McGraw's post had 26 million views, more than 40,000 comments and had been shared more than 495,000 times.

Ben Ellis, a teacher at Christian Presbyterian Academy, was joined by hundreds of students and faculty last week at his home after deciding to end cancer treatments.

Colleen said coverage of Ben's story and the love of his school family have given her comfort and "something to think about instead of dwelling on the fact that he's not going to live that long." Ben is expected to pass away soon, she said.

"So many people have told me they've seen Jesus in him more than anyone else in their lives," Colleen said. "That just makes me so proud ... He lived his faith every day. He was the greatest son, father, husband, brother and friend."

His father, Bob, and brother, Bret, also live in Fort Collins. His sister, Cherlyn, now lives in Reno.

Visit www.tennessean.com for more information on Ben Ellis' story.

Follow Sarah Jane Kyle on Twitter @sarahjanekyle or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reportersarahjane. Keep up with social issues in Northern Colorado by subscribing to the Life Connected newsletter.