Martha and Leon Deane, with sons Ewan, Arron and Leon.Photo:Courtesy Jimmy & Kim PhotographyA Tennessee high school community came together to help grant a dying father’s special wish: to see his son graduate.Although Ewan Deane is only a junior at Jellico High School, he took part in aspecial graduation ceremonylast week because his father, Leon, has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and had been told he only has a few months to live, according toTodayandCBS affiliate WVLT.In January, the 50-year-old received his diagnosis. “It was already in stage 4 when they found it,” Leon toldToday. “It’s been rough, mentally it’s hard to deal with.“Ewan, who is currently homeschooled to spend more time with his father, told WVLT that he promised his father that he would graduate.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In order to make sure Leon was able to see the special moment, his wife Martha asked if Ewan’s school could hold an early graduation ceremony for him.After a friend made the call, the next day the school said, “We’ll do it tomorrow,” perToday.Leon and Ewan Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim PhotographyAccording to alive-streamed video of the ceremonyshared on Facebook, the audience at the ceremony on Aug. 30 was packed, including Leon and his family, who sat in the front row.“Today is the day that the Jellico High School and all the communities that represent our school come together to support a student and family in a solemn season of life,” principal Joey St. John said during the ceremony. “To be straightforward with everyone in this room, we are gathered here today to honor the wish of a father to see his son, that he dearly loves, complete a milestone in his life.“Leon Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim PhotographyLeon Deane and Ewan Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim PhotographyWhile Leon hopes to see his son graduate in May 2025, St. John added that they pushed “forward in time” and allowed his father’s “physical body to see today what his heart sees in the future.“That day, Ewan took the stage and became an honorary graduate of the class of 2025.“I’m about as proud as I can be,” Leon told WVLT of watching his son graduate.

Martha and Leon Deane, with sons Ewan, Arron and Leon.Photo:Courtesy Jimmy & Kim Photography

A Tennessee teen received an honorary high school graduation, so his dying father could attend. Martha and Leon Deane, with sons Ewan, Arron and Leon.

Courtesy Jimmy & Kim Photography

A Tennessee high school community came together to help grant a dying father’s special wish: to see his son graduate.Although Ewan Deane is only a junior at Jellico High School, he took part in aspecial graduation ceremonylast week because his father, Leon, has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and had been told he only has a few months to live, according toTodayandCBS affiliate WVLT.In January, the 50-year-old received his diagnosis. “It was already in stage 4 when they found it,” Leon toldToday. “It’s been rough, mentally it’s hard to deal with.“Ewan, who is currently homeschooled to spend more time with his father, told WVLT that he promised his father that he would graduate.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In order to make sure Leon was able to see the special moment, his wife Martha asked if Ewan’s school could hold an early graduation ceremony for him.After a friend made the call, the next day the school said, “We’ll do it tomorrow,” perToday.Leon and Ewan Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim PhotographyAccording to alive-streamed video of the ceremonyshared on Facebook, the audience at the ceremony on Aug. 30 was packed, including Leon and his family, who sat in the front row.“Today is the day that the Jellico High School and all the communities that represent our school come together to support a student and family in a solemn season of life,” principal Joey St. John said during the ceremony. “To be straightforward with everyone in this room, we are gathered here today to honor the wish of a father to see his son, that he dearly loves, complete a milestone in his life.“Leon Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim PhotographyLeon Deane and Ewan Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim PhotographyWhile Leon hopes to see his son graduate in May 2025, St. John added that they pushed “forward in time” and allowed his father’s “physical body to see today what his heart sees in the future.“That day, Ewan took the stage and became an honorary graduate of the class of 2025.“I’m about as proud as I can be,” Leon told WVLT of watching his son graduate.

A Tennessee high school community came together to help grant a dying father’s special wish: to see his son graduate.

Although Ewan Deane is only a junior at Jellico High School, he took part in aspecial graduation ceremonylast week because his father, Leon, has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and had been told he only has a few months to live, according toTodayandCBS affiliate WVLT.

In January, the 50-year-old received his diagnosis. “It was already in stage 4 when they found it,” Leon toldToday. “It’s been rough, mentally it’s hard to deal with.”

Ewan, who is currently homeschooled to spend more time with his father, told WVLT that he promised his father that he would graduate.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In order to make sure Leon was able to see the special moment, his wife Martha asked if Ewan’s school could hold an early graduation ceremony for him.

After a friend made the call, the next day the school said, “We’ll do it tomorrow,” perToday.

Leon and Ewan Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim Photography

Leon Deane, who has terminal pancreatic cancer, watched his son Ewan graduate two years early from high school.

According to alive-streamed video of the ceremonyshared on Facebook, the audience at the ceremony on Aug. 30 was packed, including Leon and his family, who sat in the front row.

“Today is the day that the Jellico High School and all the communities that represent our school come together to support a student and family in a solemn season of life,” principal Joey St. John said during the ceremony. “To be straightforward with everyone in this room, we are gathered here today to honor the wish of a father to see his son, that he dearly loves, complete a milestone in his life.”

Leon Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim Photography

Leon Deane, who is in hospice care for pancreatic cancer, got to see his 17-year-old son graduate high school early in an honorary ceremony

Leon Deane and Ewan Deane.Courtesy Jimmy & Kim Photography

Leon Deane hugs his teenage son Ewan Deane during an honorary graduation ceremony at his Tennessee high school

While Leon hopes to see his son graduate in May 2025, St. John added that they pushed “forward in time” and allowed his father’s “physical body to see today what his heart sees in the future.”

That day, Ewan took the stage and became an honorary graduate of the class of 2025.

“I’m about as proud as I can be,” Leon told WVLT of watching his son graduate.

source: people.com