RACHEL, W.Va. — There is an outpouring of sympathy and support on social media in the wake of the Tuesday death of longtime Marion County resident and educator Nelson Elliott.
Elliott collapsed and died at North Marion High School.
Marion County Schools superintendent Dr. Donna Heston said he was very well known and the death is a huge loss for the Husky family.
“You can’t say enough about a pillar of the community, and our hearts go out to the family,” Heston said.
Heston praised the response by first responders and co-workers who attempted lifesaving measures unsuccessfully.
Elliott taught in Marion County for more than 30 years after graduating from West Virginia University and UC Riverside. Elliott coached several sports, including football, at Fairmont State University.
Current Fairmont State Coach Jason Woodman said he did not know Elliott as a coach there but knew him when Woodman was a student at North Marion.
“Nelson and the whole Elliott family in general have meant a lot to our county, Fairmont State University, and North Marion High School,” Woodman said.
Tributes on Elliott’s Facebook page refer to him as a “legend” and a “true class act.” The posts equally praise his passion for coaching and teaching and his skill at both as well.
“There have been a number of people that have reached out and shared stories of the impact this employee had throughout his career as a baseball coach, a football coach, and a math teacher,” Heston said.
Nelson’s brother, Rusty, served as the director of athletics at Fairmont State University for 27 years.
“It’s just so sad, and it’s really tough for everybody, especially in the northern part of the county right now; it’s just a tough situation,” Woodman said.