An Etowah High School teacher died Sunday after battling several medical issues, officials said, and students have planned for a memorial at the school for him tonight.

The memorial for Coach Keith Roddy will be at 7 p.m. at the Alumni Plaza outside of the Etowah auditorium, and those who attend are encouraged to wear orange in honor of the teachers love of the University of Tennessee.

Roddy, hired by the Cherokee School District in August 1999, was teaching science this school year, said School District spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby.

Principal Keith Ball said Roddy always looked out for his students.

He taught and coached football at Cherokee High School, Woodstock High School and Etowah High School.Over the past three years, Mr. Roddy did not coach football at Etowah, but instead focused on teaching new subjects in science, and supported our at-risk students in our Summer Bridge program, Ball said. Keith always offered a helping hand to his colleagues and was loved by his students.

The funeral will take place at Anthonys Funeral Home in Hartsville, Tennessee, but the local, student-led memorial is set for tonight.

A candlelight vigil and balloon release are planned to remember Roddy at the event.

In addition, students in the Etowah Video Broadcasting Program are planning to record messages during the memorial to create a video dedicated to Roddys memory. Students, both past and present, friends and colleagues are invited to participate to celebrate Roddys life and contributions, organizers said.

The Etowah Newspaper will also pay tribute to the teacher, with a special dedication page in the next issue.

Etowah High School is at 6565 Putnam Ford Road in Woodstock.

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Memorial for Etowah teacher tonight