Diagnosed with cancer when he was just nine, Colton Evans never let the disease define who he was — and that is what his friends and family say they will remember most about him.

Following an eight-year battle with a brain tumor, the 17-year-old Cullman teenager passed away Monday.

“Colton was strong and courageous,” family friend Elena Caudle said. “He was nine when I met him and he’d already been diagnosed with, and had surgery for the malignant tumor in his head … It was a long and horrendous fight, but he gave 100 percent and rarely complained.”

Throughout his life, Colton and his family worked diligently to support the American Cancer Society, and he enjoyed spending time with his friends, and especially loved his dog, Peanut.

Colton and his Relay team, the C-team, organized events ranging from an annual cookout, to fundraisers to support the cause. His family was already working on the latest idea, a dog show scheduled for February, that Colton had wanted to be involved with.

“He never met a dog he didn’t love,” Caudle said. “My dog Niko and his dog Peanut were proof positive that dogs really are a guy’s best friend and the bond between him and those two dogs was something most people only hear about on television or read of in books … He had the kindest heart and sweetest spirit.”

Colton’s battle with cancer inspired a short film in 2008, produced by friends and family in Cullman County, which served as a Relay fundraiser. Dubbed Colton’s Quest, the movie told the story of Colton, a young boy who is attacked by “Cancerians.” The film ended on a hopeful note, with the protagonist returned to full health.

Colton was also a 2005 Cullman Times Unsung Hero and was featured in a handful of stories in The Times throughout the years.

“When I picture his face, I just want to start crying again, because he was such a great young man,” Cullman Relay For Life coordinator Gidget Overton said. “He was always so positive and definitely a true inspiration. Anyone who had the pleasure of spending time with him was blessed. God has taken one of our angels, but he is no longer in pain, which is a blessing. He is leaving behind a huge legacy.”

Caudle said Colton’s attitude inspired her every day, and recounted a moment from Relay For Life several years ago that she said encapsulates his spirit. She was walking with Colton through the luminaries section, and the young man wanted to see how many notes included his name.

“We couldn’t find his luminaries anywhere, and finally it dawned on me that there were two sections, one for ‘In Memory of’ and one for ‘In Honor of,’” she said. “We were in the ‘memory’ section, so I guided the kids over to the ‘Honor’ section and sure enough, there were Colton’s luminaries. I don’t remember how many there were, but as we were standing there looking at all the lights, he reached up and took my hand and [asked] what’s the difference in ‘In Memory of,’ and ‘In Honor of?’ Through the huge lump in my throat I explained the difference to that sweet little 10-year-old boy. He stood there a minute and then said ‘I sure am glad we found me here.’ That’s how Colton seemed to view life in general.”

David Wiggins, who served as Colton’s principal while he attended East Elementary School, said the young man is one he will never forget.

“In my one year of experience with Colton, I learned more about the joy of life than in the 38 years prior to meeting him,” he said. “He was an outstanding student and always thrived with joy. He never seemed to get down, and was always smiling and laughing.”

Colton was also a die-hard University of Alabama football fan, which Wiggins said often led to a bit of razzing while he was a student at East.

“About every day he wore his Alabama hat,” Wiggins laughed. “I offered him a lot of my Auburn hats just for fun, but he never took it.”

Colton’s mother, Beth, declined to comment for this story, but noted one could ask almost anyone in Cullman County if they wanted to know the impact her son had on the community.

Within hours of his passing, Colton’s Facebook wall had become a virtual guestbook for many of his 505 friends left searching for an outlet. Dozens of posts, ranging from condolences, memories, or just happy stories from his life, blanketed his page in the hours that followed.

“You sure were a tough young man!,” Parks England wrote. “You will be missed more than you know but at the same time, we all know that God has another Angel in heaven with him now! We will meet again one day my friend!”

“Because true inspiration comes not from worldly things, but from having hope and strength in Christ,” Ashleigh Fowler added. “Until we meet again … I’ll be missing you.”

With Colton’s suffering now over, one thought resounded through almost every comment, from full-page notes to just a few words — at least he is in a better place now.

As Rebekah Townson wrote: “I’ll see you later in Heaven.”

* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.