(The Lion) — Steve Fulmer impacted his students in larger-than-life ways. Before his death Sunday, his students found a special way to honor him.

Fulmer, 70, founded Northland Christian School’s band and directed its first musical. He also coached the Kansas City school’s basketball team to two state titles, a rare combination of excellence in sports and music.

His high school band has won best in the Midwest four straight years, with the middle school band scoring runner up in three of those. He also taught musicians who later went on to earn Grammy nominations.

When the beloved teacher fell ill from cancer and was unable to start his 14th year at the school in August, Fulmer hoped to be back “in a week,” Superintendent Bryan Prewitt said, but his situation continued to worsen. He was discharged from the hospital twice, the second time to be placed on hospice care.

When students learned of this, they quickly asked to play a final concert for him, said Prewitt, who’s only lost two teachers to death during his 42-year career in education.

A few days later, amid windy and cold December temperatures, 50 band members went to Fulmer’s backyard and played two numbers from their Christmas concert, which Fulmer had hoped to attend, as well as pep band favorites, including the school’s fight song.

Afterward, they surrounded his window and shouted, “We love you, Mr. Fulmer,” in unison. Individual students also went to the window to say goodbye to their longtime teacher, mentor and friend.

Fulmer’s eyes were closed during the performance but Prewitt said the music director was aware of the band’s presence and “tapped his foot” to the music. The following day Fulmer became incoherent, and three days later he died.

“This was the last day they could have done that,” Prewitt said of the band’s visit.

About 200 people, including many current and former students, attended Fulmer’s funeral Wednesday, held one week after the band played for him.

Alumnus Eric Seevers recounted watching Fulmer climb the ladder to cut down the net after winning a state basketball title, “a well-earned victory for a man who lived his whole life in victory and now stands in eternal victory.

“Coach always had his infectious smile, crystallizing the joyful moments on the mountaintops and encouraging us in the valleys,” said Seevers, holding back tears. “I owe a lot of my personal growth in those years and a part of the person I am today to this wonderful man.”

Chase Jackson, a senior at Northland, said he’s had Fulmer every year he’s been at the school, starting in kindergarten.

“Mr. Fulmer is the reason I love music,” Jackson said. “I play in the band because I knew that every single song we played Mr. Fulmer would make it fun and enjoyable. Even if we played the song over and over and over, he would always make us love it.

“Mr. Fulmer is the reason I do the musical every year. He’s the reason I joined the Blazer Singers. Mr. Fulmer is music to me.”

Even from his bed this Thanksgiving, Fulmer was still talking about the band and which pieces to play in competition, said Aiden Velder, another senior.

“He could never resist grabbing a trumpet during jazz band and playing along with us,” Velder said. Fulmer was also remembered for singing “a Bill Withers classic” and for a “pep rally where he performed a rap and dance routine with his sideways hat.”

Prewitt shared about the eternal hope that gave Fulmer peace even at the end of his life.

“He wasn’t at all afraid to die. He told me that,” Prewitt said. “He said, ‘I’m not afraid to die; I just don’t want to leave the people that I love behind.’

“The reason for Mr. Fulmer’s confidence in what was ahead for him was his faith in Jesus as his Savior. He wanted to make sure that you knew that he had a deep, abiding faith in Jesus Christ as a savior and Lord, and because of his relationship with Christ, he is now enjoying eternity in the presence of Jesus.

“It seems a little unfair that today, while Mr. Fulmer is singing and enjoying his first few days in eternity with loved ones who have gone on before him, and with Jesus Himself, we are left here with heavy hearts.”

The funeral closed with a letter from family that revealed more about the scope of his influence, including on some professional musicians.

“Many of Mr. Fulmer’s students went on to become music teachers, including his own son,” read the letter. “Many others have become music ministers and worship leaders. Some have sung professionally, and others have been part of well-known theater companies over the years.

“His students compiled four Billboard top 50 songs, three Billboard Top 10 Songs, two certified gold albums, one platinum album, three Billboard Awards and four Grammy nominations.”

Fulmer taught three members of rock band The Fray at Faith Christian Academy in Colorado, helping form the future hitmakers.

Now one of his current students, Velder, summed up how many felt about their teacher.

“He didn’t just teach music. He taught us how to live with passion, with integrity and with an unshakable faith. Though his loss leaves a void that words cannot fill, his legacy lives on in every life he touched.

“Mr. Fulmer’s life was a testament to what it meant to serve others and to love deeply. Heaven just gained an incredible piano player and we gained a lifetime of lessons from one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. Thank you, Mr. Fulmer, for everything.”