Larry Alvin Payne was born July 16, 1935, in Seibert, Colorado to Alvin and Zella Payne of Cope, Colorado. He passed away on October 29, 2023, at Banner Health in Greeley, CO at the age of 88.
Larry grew up on the family homestead south of Cope and attended Cope School, graduating in 1954. In high school, he worked with his father and Uncle Francis Wrape on their harvest crew traveling from Oklahoma to North Dakota harvesting wheat on the way north and corn on the way south. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Colorado State University and then worked for Coors Brewing Company in the ceramics division before returning to the farm.
Upon returning to the family farm, Larry worked with his uncle drilling water wells in the area for local farmers. He and his uncle drilled one of the first irrigation wells in Washington County, CO.
In August 1963, Larry met his future wife Carolyn Swan at the Yuma County Fair midway, and they married on March 1, 1964. They were blessed with 4 children: Randy, Lanny, Kim and Terry. They lived on the family farm raising their children while building their dairy and farm together.
Larry was a founding member of the Sunnydale Evangelical Free Church and served on the church board till it closed its doors. He also was a member of the Cope Soil Conservation District and served on the Board of Directors for 36 years. Larry helped to form the National Farmers Organization (NFO) in the early 70s to help keep crop and cattle sales pricing high and fair for local farmers. He was a dedicated husband, father and helper to his kids and their many activities. Larry continued farming until his retirement in 2000. He was dedicated to God, his family, and farming. Living in this community and his many friends meant the world to him.
Larry is survived by his wife Carolyn of 59 years, children Randy (Shannon) of Craig, CO; Lanny (Connie) of Cope, CO; Kim of Colorado Springs, CO; and Terry (Candace) of Flagler; CO, 10 grandchildren,3 great grandchildren, and his sister, Sharon Waknin of Highlands Ranch, CO and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Zella Payne, Uncle Frances and Aunt Lila Wrape, brother-in-law Donald Waknin, brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Janice Degering and numerous family members.
Services were held at the Cope Community Church on November 14, 2023, at 10:30 with interment at Cope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cope Community Church, POB 38, Cope, CO 80812; or the Southwest Fire Department, POB 44, Anton, CO 80801.
2023-11-17