David Norman Payne was born on March 27, 1936, in Utica, New York, to Francis “Frank” Payne and Beulah “Bea” Roscoe. David was baptized at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Utica on May 24, 1936, by Father Paul Long, with Michael S. Kelly and Margaret Payne as his sponsors. His father, Frank, passed away in 1951, six days before David’s 15th birthday. His mother, Bea, passed away on November 16, 1994.
David loved his country and served courageously for 22 years as a Hull Maintenance Technician, retiring from the Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1981. His last assignment with the Navy was the USS Hector. David met the love of his life, Kathleen B. Gunther while serving in the military. David married Kathleen on December 27, 1971, in National City, California, and they were happily married for 41 years until Kathleen’s death on January 1, 2013. David and Kathleen received their holy sacrament of marriage from Father Orndorff at the Saint Francis Catholic Church in Yuma on November 14, 2009.
David had two siblings, Rita and Thomas, who he loved dearly. David was a selfless man who donated money to animal charities, churches, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. He enjoyed his life with Kathleen and adored the many pets they had throughout their lives. David was a traditional man who liked using older appliances like his old television and phone because they still worked and refused to use a clothes dryer because it was better to dry his clothes outside. Although David had no family in Yuma, he had the support of his caregiver, who helped him navigate the final ten years of his life. David passed away around 10:00 p.m. on September 5, 2024, at Yuma Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his caregiver. David was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bea, siblings Rita and Thomas, and his wife, Kathleen.
