Teacher known for 'waving at every student' dies of coronavirus two weeks after teaching class

A well-loved US teacher died of COVID-19 after coming into contact with the deadly virus at a church meeting in Mississippi.

Tom Slade, 53, had been teaching students in person up until August 21, when he was informed he had come across someone who was carrying the virus.

The Vancleave High School history teacher, known for waving to students as they entered the campus each morning, quarantined in his home, posting about having pneumonia and the virus on Facebook on August 30.

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Less than two weeks, he died from coronavirus.

"Vancleave High School lost an amazing part of our school and community yesterday," the school wrote in a statement on Facebook.

"We will forever miss his wisdom, wittiness, love for all students, and love for his school family.

"We love you, Mr. Slade, and are so thankful for your impact on our school and community."

Former students and staff shared their condolences for Slade.

"Mr Slade was an incredible master teacher, gracious human and pillar of the community. He is a legacy that will not be forgotten and will be sorely missed," wrote one user.

"He was such a nice man, great teacher, and involved parent," commented another.

Slade had attended the high school before working there from 1991 as a humanities teacher.

Principal Raina Holmes told Insider Slade was known for his ability to make students laugh, saying, "He always brought humour into his classroom. His students loved that part about him."

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Austin Wallace, 18, one of Slade's former students, told the South Mississippi Sun Herald the teacher was the reason he finished school.

"He'll do anything for you. He helped me out a lot with my grades."

Slade's funeral was attended by 100 students, and his pallbearers each wore a bow-tie from the history teacher's personal collection.

Students and alumni at the funeral procession said it was hard to imagine the school without him, even if they had never had him as a teacher.

"As you drove in, he was always waving at you," said Tyler Simms to the South Mississippi Sun Herald, gesturing towards the spot where Slade had stood every morning.