Steven Leslie Peyton

Steven Leslie Peyton, “Steve or Steve-O,” was born December 1, 1958 in Cottonwood, Arizona.  On May 14, 2024, he died of liver cancer at his home near Fort Worth, Texas.  He joined both sets of grandparents, several cousins, and a few friends in his new home in Glory.

Since he was a little guy, Steve was a true outdoorsman.  He thoroughly enjoyed a good day’s fishing from his boat, the “Peyton Pequod.”  Once he caught a 53-pound flathead catfish, which officially held the lake record for years.  Every year he joined family members at Lake Worth for what was deemed the “Straw Hat Fishing Trip.”  As you might imagine, many entertaining tales were born out of those trips.  Steve was renowned for his camp fire story telling.  He could take a few facts and brilliantly weave them, often with animation and sound effects, into a hilarious saga.

Steve was a top contributor to the family “critter reports.”  When there was a notable citing of wildlife, it was reported to other family members, preferably along with pictures.  Steve had a deep appreciation for all of nature.

Also, since he was very young, Steve practiced the dying art of fur trapping.  He had a buddy, during one season, who was “having a skunk problem.”  When all was said and done, Steve trapped 27 skunks on his buddy’s property.  For a while, he was known as “stinky Steve.”

Every deer season found Steve out in the woods hunting.  He was particularly adept at tracking.  As a matter of fact, Steve was purely a stalker - not one to sit in a deer blind.  As a true sportsman, he did not kill any animal he did not intend to use for food; with the exception of an accidental ‘possum, and those skunks.

Steve attended North Mesquite High School where he was an integral member of the school’s track team.  As a freshman, he went undefeated in long distance races.  For practice, he completed the White Rock marathon in Dallas, Texas.  Steve would have graduated high school with the class of 1977.  He decided instead, to go the route of a GED.

For many years after high school, Steve roofed houses for a living.  During that time, Steve’s adventurous side came to light.  He decided he wanted to see the Pacific Ocean.  With a few dollars and an old car, he headed for California.  He actually did get to appreciate the grandeur of the Pacific.  On the trip home, apparently the remainder of his money was lost in a parking lot somewhere.  Those were cash only days.  No cell phones.  That misfortune led to an altogether different adventure.  A couple months later, none the worse, Steve made it home.  This is but one example of the kind of spirit he possessed.

Quite fittingly, Steve met Sherry at the lake one day while he was fishing.  A more devoted pair did not exist.  Steve and Sherry were together and married nearly 40 years.  The two settled on an acreage large enough for a good-sized vegetable garden, loads of trees, lush flower beds, chickens, and a dog that is sometimes mean.

Steve had a magical touch in his garden and with his trees.  A few years ago, he attended an arborist course in Oklahoma to learn how to graft trees.  After a few failed attempts, in 2023, Steve made a successful graft on a pecan tree.  He was immensely proud of that accomplishment. 

As a natural mechanic, Steve decided to pursue a career as an airplane mechanic.  He attended Eastfield Community College in an Associate of Applied Science program affiliated with Braniff Airlines mechanic training school.  He became a licensed airplane mechanic with multiple certifications.  Steve was a world class airplane mechanic.  His company sent him to Indonesia for a time to repair engines that no else was able to repair. 

Steve’s career as an airplane mechanic spanned over 40 years.  He never stopped working.  At the time of his death, he was employed by Ameriflight at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.  When Steve died, telephone calls with condolences came to his family from all over the United States.

Any adjectives used to describe Steve seem like understatements.  He was talented, smart, wise, patient, funny, fun-loving, kind, loving, loyal, ethical, imaginative, intuitive, adventurous, and tenacious. 

Left to honor his memory are: his wife, Sherry Peyton, her daughter, Crystal; his parents, Polly and Dale Peyton; brother, Alan (Vickie) Peyton; sister, Peggy (Harold) Gardner; sister, Pam (Neil) Price; sister, Penny (Jim) Davis; sister, Amy (Bobby) Deets.  His legacy will also live on through his 10 adoring nieces and nephews, other extended family, and a host of friends and admirers.  Steve will be deeply missed.

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