David Roland Payne

David Roland Payne was born on June 18, 1965, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Roland J. “Joe” Payne and Dorothy L. “Dotty” (Dickinson) Payne. He was the third of three children. In September 1966, the family moved to Bowie, Maryland, where they lived until relocating to the Denver area in March 1978. David attended Cherry Creek High School in Colorado and graduated in May 1983. He later studied at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Northern Colorado.

Accident and Perseverance

David spent most of the summer of 1984 in Alaska. While traveling back to Denver that August, he was involved in an automobile accident in northern British Columbia. The accident caused a severe brain injury, leaving him permanently disabled and reliant on a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Before the accident, David was a talented athlete who excelled at racquetball and downhill skiing. He also played in youth soccer programs in Maryland and Colorado. After his injury, he attempted to return to racquetball and swimming, though his physical limitations prevented him from participating fully.

Personality and Interests

David’s accident never diminished his outgoing, engaging personality. He loved games, including both individual and group video games, and always had a joke ready for any social occasion. He especially enjoyed learning new jokes. During the final 20 years of his life, he lived in assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities, where he was consistently one of the most popular residents.

From a young age, David was a devoted fan of the Star Trek television series, watching it so often that he memorized the dialogue from every episode. His love of movies continued throughout his life, and his favorites included Star Trek, the original Star Wars films, and Spider-Man. In high school, David took several French courses, became fluent in the language, and traveled to France with a school group. He continued practicing French throughout adulthood whenever he had the opportunity.

Family and Legacy

David was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy “Dotty,” and his stepmother, “Dot.” He is survived by his father, Roland; his sister Carol Niforatos (Robin Spellman); and his sister Joyce Albin (Jeffrey).

David was deeply loved by his immediate and extended family. Through him, we gained lasting knowledge and insight into what it means to live with severe disabilities.