Payne Stewart Tanski

     Payne Stewart Tanski (who was named after the renowned golfer William Payne Stewart), passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of December 31st, 2025 at his home in Buhl, Idaho.

     Payne was born October 30, 1997 to Stacey (Penacho) Tanski and Del Stephen Tanski in Riverside, California. He spent his early years in Loma Linda and Redlands in Southern California with his older brother Brandon, and summers with his older sister Britnee and grandparents Tom and Helen Tanski in San Luis Obispo, California and later Reno, Nevada. In addition to his family, while growing up in California, from Kindergarten to High School, Danny Wambaugh and his family were a huge part of Payne's life. Danny and Payne loved watching scary movies and playing video games together.

     He was a fun kid, a prankster and a jokester, enjoying using his homework to start the wood stove or barbecue, or to make paper airplanes to fly walking home from school. He had many friends growing up, always reaching out to the new kids at school to make them feel welcome.

     Eventually, Payne attended Redlands East Valley High School (REV) until 2015 when he and his mom, Stacey (AKA Hi Payne's Mom) moved to Hagerman, Idaho, where he finished his junior and senior years, graduating from Hagerman High School in 2017.

     Payne-Man, as his father called him, fit in wherever he was and made many new friends in Idaho. He had a beautiful smile and a unique and infectious laugh much like his dad. He grew up to be a gentle giant and was loved by all who knew him. He enjoyed spicy foods, which he learned from his father Del and uncle Steve, and loved to barbecue ribs and smoke tri-tip on the grill. He also enjoyed fishing with his dad, as well as his mom and his friends. Much to his mother's dismay, starting at a young and tender age Payne never stopped getting tattoos and piercings. He was his own legend, never doing anything in moderation.

     After high school, Payne worked at Snake River Grill and Arctic Circle before landing at Craig Stein Beverage (now Odom Beverage) in Twin Falls, where he started out delivering, eventually becoming an accomplished merchandiser, which he took great pride in.

     Payne was preceded in death by: his father - Del Tanski; his grandparents - Tom and Helen Tanski; his maternal grandmother - Sharon Terhune; his grandfather - Joe Penacho (Betty Jo); and uncle - Steve Penacho.

     He is survived by: his girlfriend - Amanda Drain and her family of Buhl; his mother - Stacey (Penacho) Brossy (Fred) of Shoshone; his sister - Britnee (Tanski) Thompson (Brook) of Nipomo, California; brother - Brandon Mudd of Hesperia, California; step-brother - Cooper Brossy (Ahnna) of Twin Falls; aunt - Elaine (Tanski) Casey of Reno, Nevada; aunt - Julie (Penacho) Gaede (Gary) of Mt. Shasta, California; uncle - Barnie Jim Ammons (Claire) Mt. Home Village, Mentone, California; several great aunts and uncles; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as (Grandma) Joan Stumbaugh of Loma Linda, California.

     Payne left us way too soon. While his passing has been a devastating blow to his family and friends, we take solace knowing that he is at peace.

     He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

     In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that any donations be made to your local food bank in either the Magic Valley or the Inland Empire.

     A viewing will be held prior to the celebration of life from 12:00-2:00 pm with the service to follow at 2:00 pm.

     A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.  Cremation arrangements will follow.

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