Blake Daniel Payton

Our dear Blake passed from this life on Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 a.m. surrounded by the love of family. Blake fought the good fight against lung cancer for 17 months, until his hope, love and light could fight no more. He passed peacefully with his wife and mom by his side. He was 31 years old.

Blake was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction to Ronald and Connie (Bandy) Payton on Sunday, April 2, 1989. He was a sweet, mischievous and fun kid. He loved everyone. Everywhere he went, he would take the time to talk to anyone he had ever met as if they had been friends forever. He became a big brother to Brett in 1995. He was the best big brother, forever providing a good time and plenty of mischief. The brothers grew to be the best of friends.

Blake has many life-long friends who shared in his adventures, from Little Mavs, to Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary, to Orchard Mesa Middle School, and Grand Junction High School. Blake made fun wherever he went. He played guitar and trombone. He loved sports and played baseball, basketball and soccer growing up. In high school, Blake wrestled for the Grand Junction High School Tigers. He graduated from GJHS in 2007.

Blake lived and breathed the Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets. So much so, they announced their pregnancy with Zariah on Super Bowl Sunday 2015! He attended many games throughout his life with his brother, dad, friends and cousins. There was never a time he was not sporting his favorite teams’ gear. He had a different Nuggets/Bronco hat for every day of the week.

Blake worked at Startek for a total of 10 years. He quickly became known as the best training manager EVER. He loved people and touched the lives of many while working at Startek. He was supportive, encouraging, and always made others feel welcomed. Blake was also owner of Monumental Home Inspections. He built the company from the ground up and was very proud of this achievement. He had many great reviews and loved helping people whenever he could. He was ever ready to help his dad with any project. Blake worked with the alpacas, butchered chickens, castrated pigs, and helped his dad on construction jobs.

Blake fell in love with Chanise Walker and 3-year-old Kylie in 2014, and it was “love and family at first sight!” Blake was a fun daddy to Kylie from their first meeting; it was a joy to watch their love grow. In 2015, daughter Zariah was born, completing their sweet family. Blake found himself surrounded by girls and loving every minute of it. He shared many outdoor adventures with his family in their short time together. His wife Chanise was by his side, selflessly caring for him the last long weeks of his life - she truly was his “guardian angel here on earth”—no one could have cared for or loved him better up to his very last breath.

Blake is survived by his wife, Chanise; daughters, Kylie and Zariah; parents, Ron and Connie; brother, Brett and Ciara; grandfather, Elmer Payton; grandmother, Patricia Bandy; aunts, Valinda Eberle, Cindy Blanski, and Cindy Einspahr; uncles, Tony Bandy and Gene Bandy (Tammy); and many, many cousins, and friends who love him dearly. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandpa, Gene Bandy, and paternal grandma, Barb, and cousins, Tyler and Tim.

A celebration of Blake’s life will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 9:30am to 11:00am at his parents’ farm. If you are sick or near someone who is sick, we kindly ask you to stay home. Please bring a blanket or chairs to celebrate his life in the beautiful outdoors that he loved so much.