University student Aaron Blake Reynolds was buried Monday in his hometown of Columbus after dying from an aneurysm Thursday in his apartment.

Senior Kelly Ann Archer of Dacula witnessed the loss of her boyfriend.

“He was just a great person, great student and a great gentleman,” said Archer, who dated him nine months.

Kelley Fagan, 23, was also in the apartment at the time. Fagan said Reynolds seemed fine when they were playing Xbox 360 about a half-hour before the aneurysm.

After playing the games, Reynolds went into his bedroom with Archer. Archer said Reynolds complained of a headache and laid down on the bed to rest. That’s when the situation worsened. Reynolds started vomiting and breathing heavily.

“All of a sudden, I heard him gasping,” Archer said.

Archer screamed for Fagan, who rushed into the room, called 911 and helped perform CPR.

By the time emergency help arrived it was too late, according to Fagan. Reynolds was taken to Athens Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:12 p.m.

“There was nothing they could do,” Archer said.

Archer plans to graduate this month. She said she spoke to Alan Campbell, the associate dean of student affairs, about her situation and possible delay in her finals.

“I’m still going to try to graduate in December because I know that is what Blake wants me to do,” Archer said.

Kimberly Schreiber, a junior from Fayetteville, said she remembered Reynolds as focused on his studies. He tutored her in a management information class last spring. She said she was “shocked” to see news of his death in a memorial Facebook group formed by 20-year-old Mason Tyler Tucker of Columbus, a lifelong friend of Reynolds.

“He always made A’s and B’s. Anything below that was unacceptable to him,” Tucker said.

Tucker said he took trips with Reynolds, who had an appetite for adventure and water sports.

“He was a really adventurous person and loved all kinds of sports,” Tucker said.

“I just want him to be remembered as great person.”