d. September 4, 2024
Steve Peyton, 72, Westfield, surprised us all by being able to pass away on Wednesday, September 4, despite having beaten cancer, survived 40 radiation treatments, seven major heart attacks, four heart stents, an aortic valve replacement, 1,200 dialysis treatments, being struck by lightning twice, being upside down in a car five times (none of which he was driving), and being present for the disastrous Bull Island Music Festival in 1972.
Born in Bedford, Ind., he loved fighting for the disadvantaged, standing up for underdogs, over indulging in life, witty quips, and unsanctioned wrestling matches with his grandchildren, Hunter and River Peyton. He could tame the hearts of animals or women with a single glance, but his heart only ever loved one woman his whole life, Kim Peyton, his wife of 45 years, whom he wooed on their first date at the snake pit of the Indianapolis 500.
He was kicked out of high school once with some of his best friends for riding a motorcycle through the halls of Westfield High School, where he still holds athletic records and was voted prom king, he was kicked out of a church card game for standing up for gay rights, and he was kicked out of a handful of bars and music concerts from the Caribbean to Lapel for misunderstandings or over imbibing in their wares. One such expulsion was a Flogging Molly concert with his son Jayme, whom he loved with all his heart and had great pride for his fatherhood, glasswork skills, and musicianship. He loved cheap drip coffee, Prairie Farms cottage cheese, and the home cooking of his daughter-in-law, Breezy Peyton, wife of Reverend Peyton, with whom he shared a special bond. He taught his son, Reverend Peyton, listed by the Indianapolis Star as one of the top 25 Indiana musicians of all time, every single thing he knew on the guitar and never took credit.
He is also survived by his beloved brothers “Uncle” Greg, Jim, and Joe Peyton and his beloved sister Patty Downs and literally thousands of friends, extended family, and acquaintances across the world whose hearts are broken at the loss of a man that never knew a stranger or an enemy despite living life beyond the boundaries of civilized society.
He is preceded in death by his mother Phyllis Peyton and his father Bill Peyton, with whom we know he is currently toasting with brown liquor over heaven’s grand bar. The life of the party died the way he lived, surrounded by family and friends who loved him and in a Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band T-shirt.
In his honor we will be holding a celebration of life party at 4 p.m. Saturday, September 14 at Sun King Brewery in Fishers.