One little boy: And the lasting impression he made

This week as families around the country were enjoying the holidays, one Seymour family is in mourning.
They are mourning the loss of a little boy who touched the hearts of many and who inevitably – brought a community together.
Danny Pedro was called feisty by some, happy by others. He was always putting smiles on the faces of those around him. Pedro suffered from a kidney aliment, which required two transplants. His small stature did not compare to the size of his heart, which people who knew him said was so big they didn’t know how it fit in his little body.
When Pedro was in the first grade at Seymour Primary School in 1998 he weighed only 31 pounds. Sick his entire life, he had his first kidney transplant when he was a one-year-old. His father who tragically passed away this past year provided the kidney.
While waiting for a second kidney, members of the Seymour Primary School, including Vice Principal Barbara Hatcher along with his teacher at the time, Joanne McMahan, worked with others to put together a “Danny Pedro Day” which was held on October 22, 1998.
The purpose of the day was to show support and to raise money to help cover Pedro’s medical expenses. The schools as well as local businesses worked together to make the day a success. Unfortunately, Pedro’s body was rejecting his father’s kidney, yet he was still able to ride in the parade that day on the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department fire truck.
“We had a parade and Danny got to ride on the fire truck. He was so happy,” said McMahan. “It really brought the whole community together. We had over 700 people walking from the Primary school to the Middle school that day. People who didn’t even have children came out to show their support.”
Pedro received a jacket from the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department, which he cherished. Hatcher stated, “The difference that child made in the community was amazing. We all pulled together to help. It showed the children in the community compassion and how precious life is.”
Pedro went on to Seymour Intermediate School and then to Seymour Middle where he was a student in Mrs. Huskey’s class. Though Pedro missed several days of school, when he was able to attend he was always smiling, even through the pain.
The young boy made many friends over the years including one boy named Willy Hutchins, who had been in his class since Primary school. Pedro’s health continued to decline and on December 19th this past week he passed away. Mrs. Huskey tried to explain to the class that their classmate was now gone and the children were visibly shaken. That is until Hutchins spoke up. Hutchins said that whenever he wanted to talk to his Dad who had passed away the year before, that he would write him a letter and send it up to heaven on a balloon. Hutchins told his classmates that they could send Danny a letter.
“It’s amazing how Willy just took over the situation and brought the other children at ease” said classroom assistant Lucreta Williams.
Mrs. Stinnett another classroom assistant, along with Mrs. Huskey and assistant Tracy Sise, helped the students draw their pictures and write their letters. Then they attached them to balloons and set them free outside the front of the school.
Watching the balloons fly through the air you could see smiles cross the faces of the children. It was as if they were saying everything was going to be all right now. The boy who brought a community together was now gone. Gone but never forgotten.
Pedro was laid to rest on December 21st wearing the jacket that the volunteer fire department had given him. Pedro’s Aunt Judi Blankenship said, “The fire department brought three engines for the procession. It was more like a celebration of his life, more like a parade than a funeral. We know that Danny was up there smiling down at us.”
“He was like a ray of sunshine,” stated McMahan. Holding back tears she continued with, “Danny had his first healthy day on December 19th….in heaven.
The family is in need of funds to help cover funeral expenses. An account has been set up by the Seymour Middle School at Sevier County Bank in Seymour. Checks can be made out to the Danny Pedro Fund. The family would like to thank the staff of UT Hospital; nurses- Anita Hogan, Bonnie Johnson and Mary Kay Erickson, Dr. Zimo, Dr. Moore, Dr. Malagon-Rogers; the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department; Scott at the Medicine Shoppe, Shriners, and the Seymour Schools for all of their support.