The music of pop singer Elton John and a high school choir filled the imposing Gothic church where throngs of mourners gathered to bid farewell to Ryan White and remember his courageous fight against AIDS.
Second Presbyterian Church, known for a congregation that includes some of the most influential people in the state, opened its doors Wednesday to more than 1,000 people who came to mourn the death of the 18-year-old.White, who died Sunday, was honored by celebrities and schoolmates alike for his five-year battle against acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the ignorance and unreasoned fear that accompanied the disease.
The massive church was chosen because it could accommodate a large crowd, yet at least 500 people had to be turned away 30 minutes before the service because the church was full.
Those in attendance, including first lady Barbara Bush, heard John sing "Skyline Pigeon," a song written in 1969, before White was born. A dozen girls, members of the Hamilton Heights High School Choir, sang "That's What Friends Are For," breaking into tears as they finished.
White was laid to rest in his hometown of Cicero wearing his favorite clothes: blue jeans, a red shirt, a jean jacket, and his Oakley sunglasses. Also with him was his "guardian angel," a night light given to him by a family friend when he first was diagnosed with the deadly virus in 1984.
Jeanne White said her son chose the clothing in which he was to be buried, once telling her, "Mom, I just want to be comfortable."
John, talk-show host Phil Donahue and Los Angeles Raiders football player Howie Long served as pallbearers, as did White's uncle, Tommy Hale, and two school friends, Leo Joseph and John Huffman.
John kept a constant vigil at White's bedside until he died.
Also in attendance were singer Michael Jackson, actor Lukas Haas, who played White in the 1989 televison movie, "The Ryan White Story," actress Judith Light, who portrayed his mother in the movie; and White's sister, Andrea; his estranged father, Wayne White, and stepfather, Steve Ford.
"Ryan knew Jesus personally and up close. He knew God and he wasn't afraid to die," the Rev. Ray Probasco, a Methodist minister and friend of White's family said in his eulogy.
"Accept Ryan's fate," Probasco told the congregation. "Ryan was successful in getting us all involved. He helped us to care and believe that with God's help, nothing is impossible, even for a kid. With God's help and yours, we'll make AIDS a disease, not a dirty word."
(Additional information)
Utahns to remember AIDS victims May 1
The Utah Aids Foundation joined the nation this week in grieving the death of AIDS activist Ryan White. At the same time, local AIDS activists announced that on May 1 they will participate in an International AIDS Candle Light Memorial Service to grieve all those who have died of the disease. The local foundation is planning several activities to increase public tolerance and awareness toward the disease. "We want to mourn and grieve the death of all those who have died because of AIDS," said Stop AIDS Project Coordinator Rob Austin. "We want to grieve Ryan and others who offered hope to many people and at the same time brought AIDS home."
Cindy Kindred, chairwoman of the Utah Aids Foundation board of directors, said, "Ryan was symbolic of everyone in the country who has AIDS or is HIV positive. I think his courage of a small boy and his family standing up to prejudice he confronted is a very important thing, but there are still hundreds today who are suffering similar prejudices for the disease."