Christopher David Payne

Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on January 21, 1957, he grew up in Circleville, Ohio, and lived in various places throughout his life, including Daytona, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; Plattsburgh, New York; Alabama; and Middle Georgia, where he ultimately settled. Most recently, he and his wife, Linda, moved to Oregon for one last adventure together.

Chris built a career in the transportation industry, specializing in the administration of large contracts and later focusing on the transition to electric buses. He was deeply passionate about public transportation, believing in its ability to connect communities and create a more sustainable future.

Education was important to Chris, and in his 40s, while working full-time during the day, he attended night school to earn his bachelor's degree in business administration from Franklin University. With just one car to share between him and Linda, who was caring for their two young sons at home, it was a challenging but defining time in his life. That hard work led to his first corporate role in Jacksonville, Alabama, a pivotal step that set his family up for long-term success.

Chris was an outdoorsman at heart, a lifelong advocate for nature and conservation. A proud member of the Sierra Club and the Arbor Day Foundation, he loved biking and hiking the Southwest. It was during one of these adventures that he met Linda—while traveling on a Vision Quest wagon train from southern Arizona to Idaho. Their shared love of nature and exploration became a foundation of their life together.

Beyond his career and love for nature, Chris was a devoted sports fan. He enjoyed golf, NASCAR, and baseball, but nothing compared to his passion for football—especially his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. Saturdays in the fall were reserved for cheering them on.

Above all, Chris was incredibly proud of his two sons, Nicholas Payne (Whitney) and Harrison Payne (fiancée Kristel Schrils), not only for their achievements but for the men they became. He found great joy in watching them build their own lives and was especially delighted by his grandson, James Sterling Payne. He is also survived by his wife, Linda Phegley-Payne; his father, Ralph Payne; his stepmother, Beverly Payne; and his brother, John Payne. He was preceded in death by his mother, Monna Marshall (Payne) Lyter, who passed away on April 9, 2018.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Chris’s name to the Sierra Club or the Arbor Day Foundation, honoring his lifelong commitment to nature and conservation.