Lawrence "Larry" Irwin Payne

LAWRENCE “LARRY” IRWIN PAYNE Memorial services for Lawrence “Larry” Irwin Payne, a resident of Cortez since 1982, will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 7 at Vista Grande Nursing Home. Graveside services will be held at a future date in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo, N.D. where Larry will be interred next to his father and sister. Larry was born in Fargo, N.D. on September 6, 1940 the son of Sydney Irwin and Irene (Lenthe) Payne. He passed away at Vista Grande Nursing Home on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at the age of 66 after a brief illness. Larry first lived on a farm near Argusville, N.D. and later moved to West Fargo, N.D. He attended school in West Fargo and graduated from West Fargo High School in 1958. During his high school years he worked for his dad at Payne Pumice Inc. He also made and painted lawn ornaments and helped raise chinchillas. Larry also worked for Dan Olson Photography Studio as a touchup artist and he worked for a time at First National Bank. In 1982 Larry moved to Cortez with his mother in order to be near his sister, Kay and family. Many folks got to know Larry through his love of art, painting of pictures and creating mazes. Larry was happy to share his art with anyone who was interested. He loved to play Cribbage and was a formidable opponent. Larry was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and thoroughly enjoyed the Friday Men’s Bible Study whenever he was able to attend. Larry was a person of deep faith and great conviction through many earthly struggles. He looked forward to going to heaven and being with the Lord. He is survived by his mother, Irene Payne of Mancos; sister, Arlene Payne of Fargo, N.D.; brother, Derald “Dick” Payne of Dickinson, N.D.; sister, Kay Honeman of Tucson, Ariz.; half-sister, LuVerne Hanson of Hillsboro, N.D.; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding Larry in death were his father, Irwin; and his sister, Donna. Memorial contributions may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 989. Cortez, Colo. 81321. Cards to the family may be sent to Kay Honeman, 3512 S. Gleeson Place, Tucson, Ariz., 85730.