Donald Lee Peyton

Donald Lee Peyton (Donnie) was born in San Francisco on May 5, 1948, the second born son of five children. He and his family relocated to Phoenix when he was 7 years old where he remained the rest of his life. After serving his country in Vietnam, Donnie returned to Phoenix and started a life raising three children and teaching them the beauty of the world. Donnie shared his love of nature with family and friends; camping, fishing, and hiking the Grand Canyon as often as possible! When he wasn't in the outdoors, Donnie devoted much of his life providing trauma informed services to help others address and navigate crisis impacting their health and wellbeing. Shortly after he returned from Viet Nam, Donnie was on the ground in the formation of Terros – an early drug counseling and crisis intervention program in Phoenix, Arizona, acting as a Volunteer Crisis Worker, EMT and developing and managing the inpatient and outpatient detoxification programs. Donnie later obtained his Masters of Social Work at Arizona State University, going on to use his talents and compassion in public service working with the Veterans Administration's Vietnam Veterans Outreach Program; managing the Psychiatric Social Work Department at the Phoenix Veterans Hospital; developing and managing the Community Assistance Program with the Phoenix Fire Department to provide crisis intervention services as well as developing and managing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program in the Phoenix Fire Department. Donnie also worked as a reserve fire fighter with the Laveen Fire Department and the Daisy Mountain Fire Department as well as a K-9 Search Specialist with the Phoenix Fire Department FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force. Donnie retired in 2019.
Donnie fell ill in his later life due to agent orange exposure in Vietnam, succumbing to complications of treatment, he passed away peacefully on June 19, 2024 with family at his side. Donnie was preceded into death by his sister Karen, brother David and his mother Dorothy Peyton. He is survived by his remaining siblings; Lannie and Linda Peyton, his brother-in-law Peter Rossi, his three children: Keith, Eric and Chelsea Peyton, daughter in law Stacie Peyton. He is also survived by his grandchildren Connor and Isabelle Peyton, great grandchildren Waylon and Micah Peyton, nephews David and Daniel Rossi, and nieces; Linda and Helen Peyton.
Donnie's resilience and passion for life and nature, his sense of humor and the work he did in the Phoenix communities will have an enduring impact on the lives of many. He is loved and will be greatly missed.
Donnie wishes to be cremated and have his ashes, along with those of his beloved Shelby and Mac-his rescue dogs- spread in the Grand Canyon. A Celebration of Donnie's life will take place in the Fall. The exact date remains to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Mohammad Ali Parkinson Center are appreciated. Donations can be made at https://giveto.supportbarrow.org/mapc