SOUTH JORDAN — Bingham High School senior Danny White, 18, passed away from a brain aneurysm Monday morning, just two days after earning second place in the 5A state tennis tournament.

"He was outgoing and friendly with absolutely everybody," Bingham tennis coach David Davis said. "I don't think he was capable of being harsh to anybody. He was really optimistic, and very laid back."

According to friends, White left church with a headache Sunday afternoon, and when his parents returned home he was unconscious. White was flown to University Hospital, and after evaluating him for several hours doctors began surgery at 2 a.m. He died around 9 a.m.

A brain aneurysm is a weak bulging spot on the wall of a brain artery very much like a thin balloon or weak spot on an inner tube. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, aneurysms form silently from wear and tear on the arteries, and sometimes can form from injury, infection or inherited tendency.

White's mother called and informed Bingham principal Tom Hicks about 10 a.m., and shortly thereafter Hicks made an announcement over the school intercom and asked for a 30-second moment of silence.

"Danny has always been a nice kid to everyone," senior classmate Jon Hague said. "If there is anyone at this school who deserves to go to heaven it is Danny."

During Saturday's 5A tennis tournament, White teamed with Matt Rogers to finish second in the No. 2 doubles competition after finishing second his junior year as well.

"He was so concerned with how everybody else felt," Davis said. "In a tennis sense, I know he really wanted to play singles, but he was playing second doubles because that gave us the best chance at winning."

Bingham finished second behind Skyline, the school's best showing ever at state.

After the tennis competition, White attended the senior dinner dance. At some point during that busy day, White told his mother this was one of the best weekends of his life.

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"He was just the sweetest kid," said Bingham junior Brittney Wilcock while conversing with several friends on Bingham's tennis courts Monday afternoon.

While reminiscing about White, one friend said "I remember when he was growing a beard in the eighth grade." Another said, "Yeah, and he could dunk in the ninth grade."

Hundreds and hundreds of other stories about one of the nicest kids at Bingham High School were told Monday, and likely will be for years to come.


E-mail: jedward@desnews.com

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