SectionsStudent's battle with throat cancer ends
Geoff Pickle
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: News
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A Facebook group titled "Keep Skyler in our Hearts & Prayers" kept friends and family updated on Tolson's status.
On Tuesday, Renee Tolson posted that he had died the previous day.
Renee Tolson could not be reached for comment.
A Facebook group called "Skyler Tolson Fundraiser" was created in December 2008 to help raise money for treatment. According to the group's description, Tolson had throat cancer that had relapsed after being in remission for 10 years.
Tolson had his trachea removed on April 22 to aide in his recovery, according to a post from Renee Tolson.
That night, Skyler Tolson felt short of breath and called Renee Tolson, who found him struggling to breathe when she went into his room, according to the description for the "Keep Skyler in our Hearts & Prayers" Facebook group.
He had stopped breathing before the ambulance arrived, which led to him being put in a coma, according to the group's description.
According to a post on the Facebook group from Renee Tolson, graveside services will be held at Blue Springs Cemetery in Blue Springs, Mo., on May 1 at 11:00 a.m.
Skyler Tolson was a senior marketing major at Missouri State and was from Blue Springs, Mo., according to Missouri State people search.
Several people who knew Tolson commented on the loss.
Alum Drew Burbridge, who majored in political science, said he had known Tolson since he was six years old. The two grew up together in Blue Springs and were college friends, he said.
Burbridge said Tolson was one of the best people he has ever known.
"In the almost twenty years I was friends with Skyler, I don't believe I ever met one person who would consider him an enemy," Burbridge said. "He literally filled a room with his glowing spirit and made quick friends everywhere he went."
For those that knew him and his struggle, he was a constant inspiration, Burbridge said.
"He will be missed intensely, but he never would have wanted us to be too sad on his account," Burbridge said. "If you knew Skyler or loved him like I did, please celebrate his life and his passing."
Missouri State alum Dustin Masters, who was a socio-political communications major, said he had known Tolson since first grade and continued to be good friends with him into college.
Tolson was a one of a kind person and could brighten up any situation, Masters said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
The Standard
posted 5/02/09 @ 5:38 PM CST
The first comment posted on April 30, and subsequently its reply comment, were deleted.
This is the first time The Standard has deleted a comment that wasn't a spam comment as it is policy to let people post what they want regardless of the point of view expressed. (Continued…)
Robbie Ellison
posted 5/02/09 @ 5:59 PM CST
My name is Robbie Ellison. I was Skyler's roommate for the duration of his stay in Springfield while we attended Missouri State. I read the comments that were posted and I was terribly offended by them. (Continued…)
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