Like hundreds of thousands of Americans, Richard Gordon Payne lost his life to COVID-19 in 2020. Born in 1929, Dick, as he liked to be called, was a proud gentleman. As he aged, he prized his independence and dignity, and he was able to hold onto both for an amazing 91 years. Dick was a Colorado native, born and raised in Lakewood – a place he loved and made his home for most of his life.
After graduating Lakewood High School and with the permission of his parents, Dick joined the U.S. Navy in 1947. There, he became skilled at electronics, a talent he would leverage along with his strong work ethic into a stellar 30-year career as a field engineer with IBM. He married the love of his life, Patricia Ann (Heskett) Payne, in 1950; though the couple later divorced they remained close, and Pat was in Dick’s thoughts and heart always. Dick is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne Yager and Christine Searls, his two sons-in-law, D.R. Yager and Scott Searls, and his two granddaughters, Grace and Natalie Searls.
In his retirement, Dick traveled and devoted himself to his leisure passion – golf. He volunteered for many years with the Colorado Golf Association, earning the honorary title of Master Rules Official for his deep knowledge of and dedication to the game. Dick also spent his retirement caring for his granddaughters, whom he adored and helped raise from the time they were born. Dick will be greatly missed by his family and all who loved him.
Dick’s family will hold a service for him in Summer 2021. Donations may be made to Porter Hospice Foundation, https://www.rmahf.org/porter-hospice-foundation.html
