Payton James Steele, 19 Kennewick, went to be home with the Lord on March 20, 2025.

Payton was born to Kevin Steele and Michelle Steele on December 23, 2005, in Kennewick, Washington.  At the time he was the youngest of three boys, but that didn’t stop him from competing for the title of the toughest boy in the house.  This great sense of competitiveness was obvious when Payton started playing ice hockey at the age of 4.  He wound up being on the Jr. Tri-City Americans Junior Mite team playing with 5- and 6-year-olds.  Being the smallest and youngest didn’t dissuade him, it challenged him.  Payton was one of the hardest workers and fastest skaters on the ice.  His immeasurable love for the game was something truly special to watch.

In 2015, Payton had the honor of being the Best Man at his father Kevin’s wedding to Wendy Molsbarger.  That following year he became a big brother for the first time to Drayven and in 2018 he became a big brother again to Gavyn.  This gave Payton the distinction of being the middle of 5 boys, 2 older with Mom, 2 younger with Dad.

Payton took great pride in teaching his brothers how to ice skate and play hockey.  Although Gavyn didn’t take to it as much, Drayven did inherit that same competitive drive that his big brother had.

While Payton had 4 brothers between his 2 homes, he had even more at the rink.  Payton played hockey for 15 years through TCAHA, sometimes on a house team as well as a select travel team.  While out of town on tournaments, Payton was usually the one being a misfit in the team hotel causing trouble while the parents were trying to get drunk in peace.  The parents usually didn’t mind as long as he brought that same energy to the rink the following day.

After the end of his last hockey season in 2024, Payton graduated from Kamiakin High School.  Shortly thereafter he started a new career as an electrical apprentice wiring new homes.

Payton also enjoyed spending time with his dogs Roxxie, Anne, Gracie, RJ and Oscar.   His love for animals did not stop there.  On a couple birthdays, Payton asked for food and cash donations for the Benton Franklin Humane Society rather than presents for himself.

On March 16, 2025, Payton suffered a horrible cardiac event while at home asleep.  He was not able to recover from this, devastating all that knew him.  While his death was unjust and unfair to all of us, Payton did leave us with some solace by choosing to be an organ donor.

Payton is survived by; his mother, Michelle Steele (Scott Sutton), father Kevin Steele (Wendy); brothers Skylar, Denny, Drayven and Gavyn; Sister Andrea; Grandmas Bonnie, Denise, Laura, Roni, Jeanne and Barb; Grandpas Jim, Steve, Ray, Jack, Jim N.; “Old Grandpa” Carl; Aunts Ruchell, Jill, Kass, Debbie, Christina, Shirley, Wendy; Uncles Scott, Tom, Buddy, Andrey, Andrew, Bryan S., Chad, Brian L., and way too many cousins to mention here.

Payton is also survived by his good friends RJ, Kamden and Hailey, best friend Maddox and his Soulmate Miley.

Payton is preceded in death by his Grandpa Willie, Grandpa Bill, Grandma Dot, Grandma Connie, Old Grandma Ruchell, Aunt Karen, Sister Alyssa and Cousin Eddie.

A Celebration of Life for Payton will be held on Friday, April 11 at 6pm at:

South Hills Church
3700 W. 27th
Kennewick, WA 99336

Suitable apparel for his Celebration of Life may consist of hockey jerseys, sweaters or any other sportswear.  This is how he would’ve wanted it!

Payton’s family would like to thank all of Payton’s friends and the hockey community for their support through this horrible time.  While nothing can ever make this better, you have all made this easier.  This will never be forgotten.

The family asks that in Payton’s memory for all to heighten the awareness of the silent killer that lurked in our boy.  Payton did not show any obvious signs that this horrible event was creeping up on him. The Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome generally comes on during the adolescent stages and is sometimes only detectable by EKG.

Encourage your friends and family to have an EKG performed on their young ones to look for this or any other anomaly that may crush your lives as it has ours.