David Andrew Steves

"Never really gone, just raising a little hell in heaven. He left too early, but he lived loudly, loved fiercely, and mattered more than he ever realized. His story didn't end here, it lives on in the hearts he touched. Forever in our hearts, remembered with love, and missed beyond words."

"He was sweet and loving at heart, funny by nature, and proudly a smartass-one of the many reasons he was so deeply loved."

~ David Andrew Steves ~

Beloved son, grandson, brother, and devoted fur dad passed away late in the evening of Saturday, November 29, 2025.

He was born on July 14, 1999, in Arlington, Texas. He was the son of David A. Gorts and Debra A. Steves. David was a 2017 graduate of Penn Foster Academy and later received his HVAC license from the Lindsay Cooper Institute. He was also a beloved student and friend to many within Mansfield ISD during the first eleven years of his education.

From a young age, David had a deep curiosity and love for nature, animals, and creatures of all kinds. There wasn't a vacation where he didn't find a tree to climb. From 2006 to 2014, through the support of family and camp-sponsored scholarships, David attended Camp Sweeney each summer for at least a week, as well as a winter session-where he proudly won the Polar Ice Challenge.

He loved paintball, catching spiders, accepting the weirdest challenges for Sweeney Bucks, and enjoying endless steaks. He cherished the bonds he formed with his big brothers at camp and later took pride in becoming a big brother himself. David was always a willing target for his little brothers just to make them smile, returning home each year with a new "battle scar."

David also had a love for the water-swimming, boating, rafting, tubing-you name it. He rarely wore a shirt unless necessary. He loved skateboarding, Vans, and Monster Energy, and had the honor of meeting Steve-O, even convincing him to play one of his jokes, which earned David quite a bit of money. An entrepreneur at heart, David showed that spirit from elementary school onward.

David was preceded in death by his grandparents Edwin Gorts, Alvin and Kathleen Steves; his great-grandparents George and Martha Mower, Edwin and Virginia Gorts, Alvin and Blanche Steves, and George and Helen Harrington; as well as his sibling, Aaron Steves.

He is survived by family near and far, including his love, Cara Arnold, his many fur babies, his siblings Adrian Steves and Bianca Paniaguas, Grandmother Susan Gorts, stepdad Jesus Paniagua, and his aunts and uncles Tim Gorts; Tom and Christine Tribus; Jason and Bonnie Vitello; and Jerry and Cindy Steves. He is also survived by his cousins Chris and AnnMarie Herman and their children Jack and Aiden, along with numerous great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins.

David's friends were his chosen family-from school, church, Scouts troop#534, Camp Sweeney, and work.