EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Family, students, teachers and the greater community gathered Thursday evening, Dec. 12 at the Horizon High School gym to honor Mario Ruben Tafoya, the beloved teacher who was struck and killed by a vehicle in Juarez last month.  “My dad loved his life. He was taken away too soon. But I know that if he could say something, he would say thank you to everyone who has helped us,” Isabella Rosales, Tafoya’s stepdaughter, said.  Tafoya was a husband and a father. He was also a graphics design and animation teacher who had previously won Teacher of the Year in 2019 for Clint ISD. Although the people gathered at the vigil were mourning and tears were shed, the memorial made for a lively scene that was reflective of the fun and joyous person many described Tafoya to be.  There were people dressed as characters from the "Star Wars" films which Tafoya’s family said he so passionately loved, and people in attendance wore "Star Wars"-themed shirts.  At the end of the ceremony, the crowd gathered outside of the school and released white balloons in a final goodbye to Tafoya.  His wife and stepdaughter allowed KTSM to take a look at Tafoya’s special room at their home, which was heavily adorned with "Star Wars" memorabilia.  “This was the room that he was allowed to decorate with all of his will. It's a bunch of 'Star Wars' and dorky things,” Rosales said.  Tafoya’s wife, Rosa Chavez, said he spoiled them rotten, and that he always demonstrated selfless love.  “He was very passionate about art, and graphic design. He loved creating. He loved teaching. He loved music. He loved his students, and he loved his family. He also loved to travel. He had a lot, a lot of interests. His creativity, he showed it every day, and he wanted to instill that sense of imagination into his students. He was like a very big kid at heart,” Chavez said.  Rosales said there were many things she learned from Tafoya, but most importantly, to live life a little looser.  “He taught me patience. He taught me to love and to not be so serious with myself. I've always taken life very seriously, but he always accepted things and learned how to go through them. He taught me to be a kid at heart, just like he was, to enjoy the little things in life,” Rosales said.  In addition, Tafoya’s family encouraged attendees to wear "Star Wars"-themed shirts to honor his favorite movie series. You can access the family's GoFundMe here to donate and assist with funeral expenses.