Ruben Gonzales 
Friend 
Earl, was a great friend miss our talks on Wednesdays about our memories at the City of Industry Building

Miss my early morning workouts with Earl. He was a prince of a man, a stud physically with a soft heart of gold behind that intense stair. He approached the finer things in life and immersed himself in the love of art. 
May God bless his soul. 

Merv Simchowitz

Dear Big Brother Earl, 
another Heavenly Birthday wish from your little brother.  I still can't understand why you selected me to be your friend, forever will I be in your debt for your sage wisdom, values and being included.   

i miss you and will cherish the memories.  
Love, 
Gerald

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Big Brother!
still miss you and think of you daily.  Thank you for everything you taught me.   
Love, 
Gerald, your Little Brother

So sorry  Elma just found out Ray yescas ASTRO gym

To My Big Brother, 
I can't believe it's been a year already.  I'm still not going to let you go, I just refuse.   The blue candle is for you, you will always live in my head and heart.  
Gerald

So sad to hear this. I met Earl back in 1997 and we became friends instantly. We traveled to China together to look at new business's for Earl to purchase. What a generous and kind man. I will miss him for sure. Honestly, I was wondering why I had not heard from him in a while. 

Take it easy big guy.

Robert Hamilton

I had the honor of speaking at Earl's Celebration of Life Ceremony two weeks ago.  There was so much positive energy from all, reminiscing of our joint experiences with the man, the myth, the legend (we started joking about that years ago on our cruise).   I wanted to settle down a bit from the euphoria of that and the natural post event crash . . . 
 
They say, grief never ends . . . but it changes.  It's a passage, not a place to stay.  Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith.  It is the price of love.  WHEN WE LOSE SOMEONE WE LOVE, WE MUST LEARN NOT TO LIVE WITHOUT THEM BUT TO LIVE THE LOVE THEY LEFT BEHIND.  

And so, life goes on.   Earl will continue to be an anchor in my life, someone who I will miss dearly and I think of these words, "Its OK to cry, just not too long."  Just more life's advice from my Big Brother.   


I am so sorry to hear of his passing. When I was a young kid of 17, he gave me credit at his company and did a lot of work for me to help me grow my company. He believed in me and helped me believe I could pull it off too. I was just starting and he gave me all kinds of things that I could use to make my life easier: drying racks on rollers and many other things. He was generous and kind to me and got me started and on my way. Couldn’t have pulled off my big start without his caring generosity and upbeat encouragement. He will always be one of the best memories of my life. 

Earl and I met back in 1986 on a cruise.   Elma was always at his side, putting up with the two of us and our escapades.  She was the voice of reason and could always reel us back from the ledge.  

Over the years, Earl told me how Elma was in her element with Jeanette and Tiffany,  and later the grandkids, Drew, Jake, Sara and Mason.   She was happy managing/helping everyone around her, she had that skill in working with people and more, the unconditional love for family and friends.   

They openly called each other soulmates and agreed on how things should be done by ESP.   Whether it was the design of their house, a birthday party or just enjoying time, they really were connected.  

Earl was wistful when he shared that Elma saved his life.   He was a young man who was depressed and didn't have anything until he met her.  She lifted him up and gave him the confidence to become who we know.  And for this, he was eternally grateful and called himself the luckiest man around. 

And so, this is a tribute to my big sis and big brother together for the life they led and the example of what soulmates are.       
   

Earl was a car guy, growing up in the SoCal Auto scene.  In his early days, he mentioned owning a Pontiac he bought from Doug as well as a first gen Camaro.  They were great memories for him that he shared.  He was definitely a GM fan, his favorite cars from the era were the Chevy Tri Five (1955, 56 and 57 Bel Airs), Camaros from the 60's and later, Corvettes.  He kept that passion and his later cars reflected his tastes.  


Like any car guy, he'd say if he had his way, he'd change this and that.  Well, he took his way and started down the custom hot rod path.  His first was a 1956 Chevy Bel Air modeled after gasser drag cars of the era.  Period correct touches included original gauges, diamond tuck upholstery, racing slicks in the rears with skinny bias ply tires in the front.  He didn't mention it much, but this was a show car that won awards and he was proud of it.  


Another custom build was his '66 GTO.  Custom paint that had a lot of "flop" (changed hues in the sun) that we called "Earl the Pearl Red," a Tempest base car that they changed the nose out to a GTO, redesigned and machined tail lights (he was particularly pleased  with how they turned out), grilles inserted into the front air openings and a convertible top, this car was becoming a head turner and you could imagine him driving up the PCH.   


One of his dream cars was a 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II.  He was just 9 and when he saw it, he was amazed and drawn to it.  He didn't know what it was, he just thought it was cool.  We even looked at a few for sale and up for auction, just "kicking the tires."


We talked cars monthly, I'd send him screenshots of various hot rods/customs and we'd do what car guys do, critique them.  His favorites were Gen 2 Camaros (he hated the air dams and rear spoilers on those cars and we only liked split bumpers), old Cadillacs from the late 40's/early 50's, and we found Mercury Zephyrs together.  




Earl had an appreciation for music and enjoyed the songs from his youth.   He would sing his favorite tunes and took up guitar later in life.   Besides the Chairman, Frank Sinatra, he loved the King, Elvis Presley.  

Earl shared the things that made Elvis unique, learning the craft from his mother and singing in the choir.  He’d work on his own arrangements and try different versions in the studio.  Part of my musical education was not about his hits, but about early in his career and things that had deeper meaning, like the tune, That’s When Your Heartache Begins.   Another notable song he shared was Rainy Night in Georgia by Brook Benton.  

Earl’s enthusiasm was contagious and I thoroughly enjoyed our chats about it.  It was the small things that he would share that I treasure.   

Earl was a great family man.   Whether it was his brothers and sisters, his own family or folks he considered family, his touch with people was incredible.  Through it all, he supported everyone that came into contact with him.  


One person who Earl looked up to was his brother Doug.  Doug was a good athlete who was popular in school.  Earl remembered getting in a scrap with a few others, describing how Doug waded into the fray, pulled Him out by the collar and all fisticuffs stopped because of His big brother.  

We all need role models in our lives.  Earl had Doug and I looked up to Earl.   

I called Earl my big brother and he called me his little brother.  I’m the oldest in my family and he was the youngest.  We always would joke that we’ve never had an older/younger brother, so it just worked for us.  

He always gave me sage advice on life and supported me as only a big brother can.  We were once talking on the phone and he said come down and visit (I live in Northern Cal)).   I hemmed and hawed, two young kids, work responsibilities, etc.  He cut through it quickly, saying, “what makes you different than the 20 billion people that have gone before you?”  I looked like a fish out of water and needless to say, we saw him a couple of weeks later.  

The pride he took in family and his soulmate ELMA was a beautiful thing to see.  When he was younger he could growl like a grizzly but he melted and was the nurturer as patriarch of the Payton Clan.   

To the Big Kahuna Earl, 
Thank you for everything you’ve shared with me over the last 36 years.  I miss you so terribly, words can’t describe what I feel.   Rest easy, big Bruddah.   

Love, 
Gerald

I had the pleasure of working at Cowden in Mid 80’s for about 3 years and then once again for about a year in 1995 as a consultant to get Cowden certified to its succesful ISO 9001 certification.
Formerly, I was offered the job as Quality Manager by Earl right after our first meeting to establish a formal Quality Management function at Cowden, as the company was growing and targeting bigger customers. 
During my 3 years of employment at Cowden, I grew professionally and developed great work ethics. Earl introduced me to some of Cowden’s largest and most important customers at the time, i.e., DATA PRODUCTS, PRINTRONICS, and DIGITAL PRODUCTS. Earl used to introduce me with so much pride, confidence and praise to top management of the client, that provided such a boost to my confidence at a very young age and drove me to work hard to prove Earl right. I was in my late 20’s like most of Cowden’s young leadership at the time. With the help of GOD and the rest of very dedicated team, COWDEN became the best-known Sheet Metal House on the West Coast.
Afterwards, I moved on to Join BOEING to start my successful aerospace career. However, it would not have been possible if I had not been at COWDEN and under the leadership of Earl. Since then, I have been leading a successful Consulting Organization for past 35 years. Earl’s great leadership and superb vision guided my growth and played a strong role in my success. For that I will always be indebted to Earl !!!
Rizwan, Tom Humble and I were so fortunate to meet Earl for a last time not too long ago, when he invited us to meet him at his home and took us to lunch  at his favorite neighborhood restaurant.
My sincere thoughts and prayers go to Earl’s family. May GOD give you the strength to bear this loss.
Sincerely,
Jawed Khan

I had the pleasure of working at Cowden in Mid 80’s for about 3 years and then once again for about a year in 1995 as a consultant to get Cowden certified to its first ISO 9001 certification, successfully in first attempt.
Formerly, I was offered the job as Quality Manager by Earl right after our first meeting/interview, to establish a formal Quality Management function at Cowden, as the company was growing and targeting bigger customers. At the time, I was attending Cal State Long Beach University, for my degree in Quality Assurance Engineering.
During my 3 years of employment at Cowden, I grew professionally and developed great work ethics. Earl introduced me to some of Cowden’s most important customers at the time, i.e., DATA PRODUCTS, PRINTRONICS, and DIGITAL PRODUCTS. Earl always introduced me with so much pride, confidence and praise that provided such a boost to my confidence at a very young age and drove me to work hard. I was in my late 20’s like most of Cowden’s young leadership at the time. With the help of GOD and the rest of very dedicated team, COWDEN became the best-known Sheet Metal House on the West Coast.
Since I was always interested in Aerospace, I moved on to Join BOEING to start my successful aerospace career. However, it would not have been possible if I had not been at COWDEN and under the leadership of Earl. Since then, I have been leading a successful Consulting Organization for past 35 years. Earl’s great leadership and superb vision guided my growth and played a strong role in my success. For that I will always be indebted to Earl !!!  
Rizwan, Tom Humble and I were so fortunate to meet Earl for a last time not too long ago, when he invited us to meet him at his home and took us to lunch at his favorite neighborhood restaurant.
My sincere thoughts and prayers go to Earl’s family. May GOD give you the strength to bear this loss.
Sincerely,
Jawed Khan


Elma and family,
Our sincere sympathy. It’s hard to believe. I remember our dinners, drinks, and dancing without a care in the world. They were great times. They will be remembered fondly,
Ann and Robert Duncan


I started at Cowden Metal Specialties as a teenager in the 70’s and spend 21 years of my life calling it my home. I was one of the few direct reports to Earl. It was Earl, who believed in me and trusted me with one of the most crucial position in the company . His towering presence was always inspiring and his constant support kept me motivated through some of the most challenging times. Together we grew from one small plant in City of Industry to several plants in Us and worldwide. We kept in touch after I left Cowden, always seeking advise and direction from a sincere friend and mentor. He was proud of what I have achieved as an entrepreneur and encouraged me to continue on the path. He visited me at our office couple of years ago (pictured here). After my family was struck with a tragedy 3 years ago, he made a point to be in constant contact, always concerned about our wellbeing. We arranged to meet at lunch few times, forever those chats will be part of my life’s fond memories. With a heavy heart, goodbye, friend. Our deepest condolences and prayers to the Payton Family.    


I was hired by Cowden Metal Specialties in 1985
I spent 17 years growing with the company .
Because of Earl & the company I was given every opportunity to grow as the company grew .
With Earls vision for the company we became a dynamic lean manufacturing facility never before  done in our industry .
I also got the chance to go to Singapore with Earl & create the same lean environment that we had created at the Chino facility , an experience I will never forget!!!
Earls vision & leadership allowed myself to grow & strive to be the businessman I am today.
I would not be where I am today without the mentorship & guidance that I had from Earl for seventeen years .
A few of us were  fortunate enough to reconnect with Earl  several months back & have lunch .
We had a great time rehashing old memories.
I am & will always be forever grateful to Earl  for the opportunities given to me .
Our thoughts & prayer’s go out to the family .
Sincerely 
Tom & Anita Humble
Millennium Metal Fabricating 



I first met Earl on April 17, 1973.  I had applied for a job at what was then, Cowden Metals Specialties.  Earl had interviewed me and gave me the job.  I have since then been employed with Trend Technologies.  Earl and I became good friends and got to know each other’s families.  He was always concerned about how life was treating us.  Earl was always kind, thoughtful, caring and so much more.  I am going to miss our talks on Wednesday’s, when he would come in to check on things.  My family and I will always be thankful and have love and great respect for this amazing man.  We would not have the things that we have if it wasn’t for 
Mr. Earl Payton.

Our deepest condolences and prayers to the Payton Family.

Earl will be missed, his smile, and kindness.
He always asked if you were okay, or if you needed anything.
Just a genuine person, rest in peace my friend.

Vicki Reynoso
 


My deepest sympathies, I am sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to all Peyton Family. 💜

Rosie Quinones


Prayers for peace and comfort to all of the family. 


Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to the Payton family during this difficult time.  Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. 

OBITUARY

Earl Edward Payton

April 20, 1947 – May 22, 2022

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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