Living

Living + Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Gjon Marshall Cragg Payne was born November 25, 1950 and left this earthly plane on January 14, 2022. He was the first of seven children born to Marvin "Snort" and Deana Payne. He started his life in Duncan, OK, moving to various other places that the oil-field sent them, all the while acquiring more siblings until the early 60s when his father began teaching.

Gjon graduated from Cushing High School in 1969. Shortly after high school Gjon received his draft notice, burned it in protest of the Vietnam War, and then enlisted in the Army to help ensure a placement more to his liking. There he became a helicopter mechanic and began his career path in aviation. After a tour in Vietnam and upon completion of his enlistment, he returned to Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Technology at Oklahoma State University.

Just prior to graduating in 1977, he met his soon-to-be bride, Molly Raye Whitlow, at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Cushing. Their love for each other and their love of poultry led them to marry on Thanksgiving Day. Together they traveled around to various locations including a time with Petroleum Helicopters, living on the bayous of Louisiana. It was there they began their family and he became a Daddy when Sara was born. Shortly after, he moved his wife and daughter back to Oklahoma so they could be closer to family, while he continued to commute back and forth to work on the Gulf Coast.

In 1984, while living in Pawnee, their family grew with the birth of their first son, Ian. Being with family became increasingly important when he learned they were expecting their third child. Gjon accepted an opportunity to work as an A & P mechanic at a major airline. They packed up and moved to Minnesota. Their nuclear family was complete when Sean was born a few months later. They spent two decades rearing their children in the "great white tundra." After a series of unfortunate events they felt the pull once again to return to Oklahoma to be closer to family. Their life together began in Cushing, and the circle was completed upon his passing.

Being "Gramps" to his grandchildren was one of the highlights of his life. All six brought a special twinkle to his eyes. He loved watching them grow and play and enjoyed attending their various activities. He was proud that his grandson Hunter graduated from CHS exactly 50 years after he had. One of his favorite activities was participating in Cushing's high school marching band and he was so proud his granddaughters Bella and Kira are now marching to the same drumbeat. He was constantly amused by Willow's personality, impressed by Cora's intelligence and delighted in the sweetness of little George Marshall.

Gjon was as unique as his name. He was a quiet and wise observer. He appreciated the arts: music, painting, sculpting, beadwork, poetry. He was an artist, but too humble to call himself one. A member of the Comanche Nation and having Caddo roots, he was proud and oh so knowledgeable about his Native American heritage. He was a deep thinker and a frustrated perfectionist, always thinking of ways things could be better. Whether it was politics, history or spiritual beliefs, Gjon was ready to impart bits of wisdom and knowledge to those who would listen. And when he spoke, people listened. In spite of his serious side, he had a silly, and at times, a wildly inappropriate sense of humor. These are just some of the things his family will miss.

Gjon is preceded in death by his parents and youngest sibling, Lynn Payne Gouge, his father-in-law Zane Whitlow, brother-in-law Albert Whitlow and sister-in-law Gwen Whitlow Buttram, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife Molly Payne, daughter Sara Payne Keyes and husband Jake Keyes, of Cushing, grandchildren Hunter, Kira, Bella and Willow Keyes, son Ian Payne and wife Chelsea of Lakeville, Minnesota and grandchildren Cora and George, and son, Sean Payne of the home. Also his mother-in-law Ann Pippenger of Cushing and brother-in-law Zane Whitlow of Tulsa. Sisters Zara Payne, Mary Witten and Jayne Smith. Brothers Dean Payne and Paul Payne and a plethora of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends, including lifelong friends Greg Holman, Joel Moore, Randy Judd and Rick Reiley.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home Chapel, Cushing, Oklahoma. Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, Oklahoma.

Gjon married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Known as "Snort" from the noise he used to make as a baby when feeding.

He was a teacher in Cushing, Oklahoma for a long time. He read widely. Marvin later had a job working with the Indian community.

He liked Pow wows and "good" music. His favorite cigarette was Camel, cigar White Owl, drink Gin, sport football, and his favorite authors were the poets Byron and Whitman.

He was 54 when he died. The funeral services were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Andarko. His pall bearers were Joe Mayfield, Oral Jackson, Glenn Payne, Ed Monasco, Windell Haley and Homer Strong.

Marvin married Willadine "Deana" Myers on 29 Jan 1950 in Apache, Caddo County, Oklahoma. Willadine was born on 28 Jul 1926 in Oklahoma; died on 28 Nov 1993 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Dena was a half German & half Native American (25% Caddo and 25% Commanche). She was a member of the Commanche Nation.