Petty Officer Mitchell Payne Brownlee, of Modesto, passed away in South Carolina on July 24, 2016. He was born on June 9, 1995 in Modesto, CA. Mitchell attended Sonoma Elementary School, La Loma Junior High School and graduated from Thomas Downey High School in 2013. While at Downey, Mitchell participated in many activities including football, water polo, swim, Madrigals, Knights, choir and yearbook. Mitchell was also a part of YES Company and Downey's theater program.
 Mitchell has always wanted to be a part of our military.  He joined the Navy in the Fall of 2014 where he was attending school to become a Nuclear Machinist Mate. Prior to his death, he was at the top of his class, having completed Nuclear A-School and Nuclear Power School. During his time in South Carolina he developed a passion for motorcycles and was part of Pink Wolf Racing, a local motorcycle group.  
Throughout his life he had a passion for reading and loved spending time outdoors fly fishing with his grandfather.  Mitchell was always ready for an adventure. He loved his family and strove to be a role model for his younger brothers and a protector for his sister.