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Vigil honors teen that died in gym class

Posted at 7:15 PM, Oct 18, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-18 19:15:36-04

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- A vigil was held Friday for a Caroline High School student who died in gym class earlier this week.

Thomas Wheeler collapsed after running wind sprints in class on Tuesday.

Fifteen-year-old Tommy, described by family as quiet, but funny, dreamed of studying business and playing football at the University of Virginia.

He loved LeBron James, his dad said, and could not break away from the television when the Miami Heat played.

“Tell your children you love them every day. Wrap your arms around them and tell them you love them,” Wheeler's father told CBS 6 News earlier this week. “We thought Tommy was going to come back after school, but he didn’t.”

Wheeler’s funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Jericho Baptist Church in Ruther Glenn.

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