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John Payne Obituary
John was born December 21st, 1936, in Kirksville, MO the son of John W. Payne and Eula Fern Smith. He graduated from Milan High School in 1954. He moved to Kansas City and worked at Hallmark Cards until leaving to serve in the United States Army at Fort McClellan, Alabama where he met his beautiful wife Nancy O. Bell. They were married on September 8th, 1960, in Sigourney, Iowa. They moved to Lawrence, KS in 1961. John returned to a long career at Hallmark Cards as a Production Manager until he retired in February 1992. He also worked as a Realter shortly after retirement until early 2015.
He loved watching KU Basketball, the KC Royals and Chiefs with family and friends. He also enjoyed his "Milan Group" breakfast and dinner outings every month. His greatest joy was watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren at all there sporting events, dance competitions and other activities throughout the years. John was also an avid golfer, little league football and baseball coach and friend to everyone he met.
John is survived by his loving daughter Julie Renee Oates and husband Robert (Bobby). His granddaughters Kendall Hudson Overman and husband Trent, Auston Katzfey Karscig and husband Reid and grandson's Jordan F. Katzfey and wife Mallory, Brian J. Katzfey and wife Lindsay. Great grandchildren Easton, Caroline and Hudson Overman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy and infant daughter Nannette Payne, his parents John, Eula and infant sister Rachel Payne.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Wednesday the 23rd of February at Corner Café in Riverside, MO at 11:30am. Graveside services will be on Thursday the 24th of February at Oakwood Cemetery in Milan, MO at 12:00pm. Please join us to celebrate the wonderful life of an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Payne
Kim Hubbel
March 17, 2022
John was certainly a man of worth. He was a wonderful dad, an amazing husband and gave selflessly of himself to those in need. He is the definition of Dad. Kind, funny, laughing with us as we giggled at his golf shorts, with wild shirts and even wilder socks. John not being on this earth is an immense loss, but I hope he is driving Nancy crazy with his goofy clothes and indomitable spirit. He is most assuredly keeping his dad entertained. Julie, you are loved.
Johnson and Nancy Shockley
February 24, 2022
We were so sorry to hear about John. Johnson remembers him as someone everybody liked, both as a person and as a manager. We enjoyed sharing bleachers with him watching grandsons play basketball. And he was very helpful to us in his other career as a realtor. In so many ways, he will be missed.
Bryan Wyatt
February 23, 2022
My condolences to Julie and the family. John was my football coach in grade school. I was fortunate to see John not to long ago; to let him know how special he was to me. RIP my coach and friend!
Tom Marshall
February 22, 2022
John was my first manager at Hallmark Cards and what a wonderful person he was. My best memories of John are walking into his office where he always greeted me with the characteristic Payne smile cheek to cheek. John was a good leader but more importantly, a good friend to me and about everyone he interacted with. RIP John Payne.
Don Jardon
February 21, 2022
Prayers to Julie and family. John was a great manager at Hallmark. He got me started in photography and taking sports photos.
Frank Molby
February 20, 2022
John was more than a good manager at Hallmark. He was also a good friend. John and Nancy were a great couple. They both leave behind a great legacy. Prayers and condolences to Julie and family.
Betty Sheppard
February 19, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Johns passing. He was a great man!
Jessica
February 19, 2022
I had been thinking about John recently. So sorry to see he passed. I enjoyed the many mornings I spent with him when I worked for KLAH.
Evelyn & Hank Cotton
February 19, 2022
My friend-You were so important in my life over the past 60 years. You are missed but will never be forgotten. You were always such a special person and a special friend. I think back over the years and relive some of the great times we had together. Our hunting trips, our fishing trips, the many rounds of golf we played, coaching baseball, the Royals games and just hanging out. Yes, we even had some laughs cutting firewood.
How many realtors would meet with you at 2AM to update some paperwork? These things are what made you so special. You definitely left your footprints in our hearts. I guess you were the brother I never had. I thank for all the time we had together and the laughs we shared. What a terrific friend. By the way, If we should ever meet again, you be looking for a golf course we can play. I want a chance to get some of those quarters back.
Dale Flory
February 19, 2022
Worked with John at Hallmark and enjoyed lots of mutual interests with him during those years. What a great person. I was privileged to be a small part of his life. RIP John
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