Richard Payne

Richard M. Payne, 77, passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 2, 2008 at Careage of Whidbey.

He was born in New Jersey on April 4, 1931.

He especially loved his cats and his faithful toy fox terrier dog, Jake.

He loved playing Scrabble, crossword puzzles, reading and watching the Mariners, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy or the news. On a nice day you could find him zooming around the neighborhood on his riding lawn mower, as if it was a car. He owned one of everything and always had a story or joke to tell; he’d say anything just to make you smile or laugh.

Richard went into the Army at the age of 18 only for a short while, for the majority of his life he was self employed as a painter and painted and hung wallpaper in many homes here on Whidbey.

He was a very kind, loving friend, neighbor, grandfather, uncle, brother, husband and stepfather to eight stepchildren. He will be greatly missed by all of his grandchildren that thought he was the “Best Grandpa,” and by his great-grandchildren that will never get the chance to know him.

He moved to Whidbey Island with his wife, Ruth Payne in 1987 when they purchased a home in Greenbank across the street from his youngest stepdaughter, April Sanders and two of his grandchildren, Kyle and Alicia Landry. All of whom have helped take care of him during this last year, along with Meriah Glasen, Kyle’s girlfriend.

He is survived by eight stepchildren, Richard Garcia, Marie (Fred) Benton, Isabel (Jim) Volden, Sharon (Randy) Bills, Karen, Janet, Mark and April Sanders; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, and several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Richard is preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth, his two brothers, Joe and Jack, his sister Betty and both of his parents. He was very proud of the fact that he lived longer than the rest of his siblings. He attributed it to having moved to Whidbey Island 21 years ago after leaving New Jersey, where the pace was much faster and the winters were pretty cold.

Graveside services were held at the Langley Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The family would like to thank all the staff and nurses at Careage of Whidbey that gave Richard that extra special attention and care.