Donald Lee Payton, 80, of North Platte, NE, passed away peacefully the morning of September 4th, 2022 at Great Plains Health surrounded by his family.
He was born May 28th, 1942, to Cecile and Bessie Payton in Jay, Oklahoma. In his early adult years, he moved to North Platte and started working in Ogalala Nebraska where he found work as a welder with his friend Joe Walker. There he met Patricia Walker they were united in marriage December 9th, 1961. Through this union two children were born: a daughter Terri Lynn and a son Russell Lee. Don loved hunting, fishing, boating, water, and snow skiing. He always enjoyed taking his family on vacations. After working as a welder, he was hired on to the Union Pacific as a conductor. He dedicated his life to railroad for 38 years. When Don retired from the railroad, he and his wife Patricia loved to travel with their fifth wheeler to explore different parts of the United States. They finally settled in Southern Texas in Palmview at Greengate, a 55+ gated community. They bought a house and became snowbirds traveling back and forth from North Platte, Nebraska to Texas. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandpa.
Donald was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers Howard Payton, and Bob Payton, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harry and Eva Russell, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Myron and Marilyn Walker, Joe and Ramona Walker, Joan and Jerry Lorraine, and a niece Sandy Schulz.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Payton, daughter Terri Lynn and Steve Hemans of Arvada, Colorado; son Russell and Karen Payton of North Platte, NE; grandchildren April Evans and Ryan Shaddox of Westminster, CO, Zach and Sarah Evans of Westminster, CO, Jacob Payton and Terri Butrick of Lincoln, NE, Stevie Hemans and Michael Graham of Thornton, CO, Alyssa Payton and Ryan Foster of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Cassie and Lance Williams of Branson MO, great-grandchildren Janie Evans, and Ava Evans; Debby and Tom Sherrer and many more relatives that love and will miss him.
Memorial services will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte Nebraska on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Mike Evans officiating. Flowers are welcome to be sent to Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.