Clinton Dwight Payne's Obituary
Clinton D. Payne passed away peacefully on October 13, 2020 at the age of 94. He was born in Tacoma on July 24, 1926. Dad graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1944. He immediately enlisted in the Navy and served during WW II. Dad was proud of his service as a gunner on a Navy PBM Mariner seaplane. Dad had a successful 30 year career as a custom builder in Alaska and Pierce County.
Dad lived everyday to the fullest and was very active well into his nineties. The adjectives are many: world traveler, snow birder, mountain climber ( 3 continents), hunter, fisherman, river rafter, hiker, artist, craftsman, poet, church founder, church builder, Deacon, Sunday school teacher, generous benefactor (over 50 charities), and a proud yet humble Christian. But most of all, dad was a loving, kind and gentle husband, father, and grandfather. As his worldly life slipped away, his last words to his children were “what a life”. Dad was a man from an age that will always be coveted and revered by generations to follow. It has been said by many, his was a “life well lived”.
A celebration of dad’s life will be held at a less viral future date. Please consider a donation in dad’s memory to a worthy humanitarian charity of your choosing.
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