Community Comes Together to Remember Johnny Teis
By: Cassidy Hodges
Updated: April 21, 2012
April 21st 2011, little Johnny Teis from Gravette lost his battle with an inoperable brain tumor.
To keep his memory firmly rooted in Northwest Arkansas, Johnny's elementary school planted a tree in his honor and folks from the community, and the Teis family sent off 150 balloons filled with messages to this brave little boy.
"We've called it a year of firsts," says rob Teis, Johnny's father.
Every moment, missing one very important member of the Teis family, 8-year-old Johnny.
"There's not a day that goes by that something doesn't make you miss him. . .not a day," says Rob.
It's a pain that's still fresh for the Teises, after their son Johnny lost his battle against an inoperable brain tumor in 2011.
"He was our fun loving kid, our athletic kid, he's the one that kind of added a little extra element of craziness to our house," says Rob.
And though he was just 8 years old, his fight still impacts the town of Gravette.
"Johnny the Brave is an inspiration to our community," says Zane Vanderpool, the Principal at Glenn Duffy Elementary.
"Just watching them go through this whole process has brought a town together," says Jackie Galyean, PTO Vice President.
And it's the memory of this brave little boy that keeps hopes high.
"Just to hear people talk about him and use his name--to know that we're not the only ones still remembering and missing him it helps, it helps to hear his name said," says Rob.
So parents at Glenn Duffy Elementary want to make sure Johnny's story sticks.
"We just wanted to give back something to let them know that we would remember Johnny throughout the years," says Galyean
A tree and a plaque, a rooted reminder of the battle he fought.
"It's a tragedy that families are in a situation where they have to say goodbye to their young children," says Vanderpool.
And with balloons abounding, the community came together Saturday to help the Teis family remember their very brave little boy.
"It was hard. I don't know what it is about releasing balloons, but it just struck a chord with all of us," says Rob.
Everyone attached notes to the balloons they released. So the Teis family is excited to see just how far Johnny's story will reach.
To keep his memory firmly rooted in Northwest Arkansas, Johnny's elementary school planted a tree in his honor and folks from the community, and the Teis family sent off 150 balloons filled with messages to this brave little boy.
"We've called it a year of firsts," says rob Teis, Johnny's father.
Every moment, missing one very important member of the Teis family, 8-year-old Johnny.
"There's not a day that goes by that something doesn't make you miss him. . .not a day," says Rob.
It's a pain that's still fresh for the Teises, after their son Johnny lost his battle against an inoperable brain tumor in 2011.
"He was our fun loving kid, our athletic kid, he's the one that kind of added a little extra element of craziness to our house," says Rob.
And though he was just 8 years old, his fight still impacts the town of Gravette.
"Johnny the Brave is an inspiration to our community," says Zane Vanderpool, the Principal at Glenn Duffy Elementary.
"Just watching them go through this whole process has brought a town together," says Jackie Galyean, PTO Vice President.
And it's the memory of this brave little boy that keeps hopes high.
"Just to hear people talk about him and use his name--to know that we're not the only ones still remembering and missing him it helps, it helps to hear his name said," says Rob.
So parents at Glenn Duffy Elementary want to make sure Johnny's story sticks.
"We just wanted to give back something to let them know that we would remember Johnny throughout the years," says Galyean
A tree and a plaque, a rooted reminder of the battle he fought.
"It's a tragedy that families are in a situation where they have to say goodbye to their young children," says Vanderpool.
And with balloons abounding, the community came together Saturday to help the Teis family remember their very brave little boy.
"It was hard. I don't know what it is about releasing balloons, but it just struck a chord with all of us," says Rob.
Everyone attached notes to the balloons they released. So the Teis family is excited to see just how far Johnny's story will reach.
