Family's loss moves them to help others

Clearwater, Florida - The McLellan family from Wellington is enjoying their Thanksgiving holiday by taking in a bright day on Clearwater Beach.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" exclaims Karin McLellan while walking near the water.

But there are also waves of sadness here. This is the McLellans' first holiday without their son Tyler.

"It's hard... I can't explain how hard that is to lose a child," says Tyler's father, Kevin.

15-year-old Tyler died in July in a Hillsborough County plane crash near Vandenberg Airport. Tyler had accompanied a family friend, Patti Snyder, on an Angel Flight for her treatments at Moffitt Cancer Center. On their return trip, the plane crashed shortly after takeoff and all three people on board died.

Kevin McLellan says Tyler had received an invitation to go to Orlando that day with his friends, but turned it down, because he had made a promise to Snyder.

"He kept his promise. That was his integrity," says Kevin.

The McLellan family is now keeping the memory of Tyler alive through the not-for-profit Tyler McLellan Foundation. Tyler loved playing football and his foundation now raises money to help other kids participate in sports.

"You know, it's a situation where maybe the parents can't afford the insurance for summer camp or the school doesn't pay the $60 for cleats," says Kevin. "I think Tyler would think it was a great thing," says Karin, Tyler's stepmother.

Thanksgiving is all about family and there's now a heart-rending hole in this one. Still, the McLellans say there's much to be thankful for, including a beautiful day at the beach.

"Look, look Kev," says Karen pointing at a dolphin. "See that? That was meant to be, babe," replies Kevin. "That was Tyler saying thank you."

For more information on the Tyler McLellan Foundation, click here.