Daniel, "Danny'' Taylor was loving, he was caring, fiercely loyal to family and friends, and unique on so many fronts.

He possessed a win-you-over 10,000 watt smile and a soft, gentle and open heart that was as big as the Montana sky.

There was a constant sparkle in his eyes.

If you are a parent, "perfect'' and "17-year-old'' don't often go hand-in-hand, yet Danny was so distinctive and loveable, it was the best way to describe him.

"Loyal,'' said his father, David, with a nod from Danny's mother, Melodi, sister, Josie, and brother, Zach, in describing their brother and son.  "When I was down and struggling – and there were some tough days – Danny was there – every day – to pick me up. Those were tough times for him, but Danny being Danny, he vowed that it would get better and he stood by until it did.''

Over the course of the last week, the words "sweet,'' "funny,'' "bright,'' "friendly,'' "engaging,'' "determined,'' "loyal,'' "loveable'' and "courageous,'' have been bantered about since Danny left us. Through all of life's ups and downs and ins and outs – and there were plenty – he worked daily to be an amazing son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend to all.

How Danny Taylor passed is no secret. Tragedy does not begin to describe the situation. Why was a young man so giving, so loving, so cared for and admired by so many, taken from us as he was?

Those questions and mysteries will be answered and solved, respectively.

Today, though, how Danny lived, a life so full of vim and vigor, forever loyal and determined to better the lives of those around him, is one that must be celebrated.

Danny Taylor, for those closest to him, was simply a joy to know.

"He stood up for the underdog,'' his sister, Josie, said, noting that her brother would not stand idly by and watch anyone being bullied. "Now, he and I had our disagreements, lots of them, but that's what we were supposed to do. But he never stood by when anyone got bullied and when we disagreed, he would just walk away and let me have my way. He wanted everyone happy and as a family we were getting back to that. He just got a new four-runner….''

Outside noise, and there was plenty that surrounded his world, was just that to him – noise. Danny had no time for such nonsense. He was the one person who lived each day to brighten whatever room he was in and did his very best to pack a lifetime of wonderful into a life just shy of two decades. His kindness cannot be understated.

"I loved "Dan-Dan'' (that's what I called  him),'' said Kim Macke, a teacher's aide at Rockridge High School, where Danny was a senior, preparing for graduation and a career defending his nation.

"He was such a great young man,'' added Macke. "Always smiling, his adorable smile. He talked to everyone, told the best stories, one of those kids that you just gravitated to, because he was so likable. He will be so missed. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved him. In eighth grade I told him "you're going to run for Congress some day,'' because he was such a good speaker and so smart. He just laughed and with that cute little smile and said, 'nah!' ''

Daniel "Danny" J. Taylor, 17, of Milan, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023. Services for Danny will be 11 a.m., Monday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-to-5 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family.

Danny was born on June 25, 2005, in Davenport, a son of David Taylor and Melodi (Lamp) Taylor.

Danny was a senior at Rockridge High School and was due to graduate in May. Danny was then going to enlist in the U.S. Army. He loved history, playing video games, riding four wheelers, his dogs, and being with his family.

Danny was a very giving person.

Survivors include his mother, Melodi Taylor, Milan; father, David Taylor, Milan; siblings, Zachary Taylor, Rock Island, and Josie Taylor, Milan; grandparents, Kimberly Eastland, Reynolds, and Rick Lamp, Davenport; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends, including his best friend, Tristan Stropes.

Danny was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jerry and Martha Taylor; and an uncle, Andy Lamp. Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com

It must be noted, Rockridge High School is one of those unique places where good always finds its way to the front. Rockridge, for Danny, was a place where he found solace, friendship, his path educationally and an opportunity daily to simply be Danny. Sadly, the hallways of the "Ridge'' are much quieter and shade less upbeat and funny these days.

"Dan was a student in my Spanish class,'' said Rockridge Spanish teacher Joy Carter. " Every day, he came to class with a smile on his face – it could light up the room. I don't remember him ever being in a bad mood. He always asked me how I was doing that day; he really cared about others. When I think of Dan, I will always remember his smile and the sparkle in his eyes. His sweet spirit will truly be missed.''

Calling Danny "likable'' among his peers would be an understatement of monumental proportions. He liked everyone and everyone liked him. His circle of friends was both wide and far reaching and his loyalty was unrivaled.

He was simply a great dude who was always sporting his signature Timberland hat and boots.

"Dan was a rare type of person,'' said Evan Thompson, one of Danny's dearest friends. "The loyalty and honor for his people that drove him was severely uncommon across people in this day and age. He and I had become friends since the very first day in kindergarten. No matter what the situation, Dan would always have your back.''

" You were one of a kind, brother,'' Thompson said, giving props to his longtime friend. "You will be missed.''

Yes he will. By so so many.