Long time Nampa resident Gary E. Payne passed away peacefully at his home after a short illness in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 25, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. He was 90 years old. Gary was born in Ider, Alabama to Fred and Etta (Chapman) Payne on March 8, 1932. In 1939, at the age of 7, his family moved to Nampa, Idaho and lived on a farm South of Nampa. Gary attended Nampa schools and began working for Union Pacific Railroad in 1949. On Oct 4, 1950, Gary married Bertha Ellen (Peggy) Elliott. They were approaching 72 years of marriage at the time of his death. In November 1952 Gary enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as an F-86 Crew Chief for 4 years, where he was stationed in Texas, California, and Montana. He then returned to working for the railroad as a Section Foreman in Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming before joining the Idaho Air National Guard at Gowen Field Boise in November 1958. He worked at the Air Guard for 29 years as an Aircraft Mechanic, Weapons Loader, Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) Shop Chief, and Fabrication Shop Supervisor, retiring in March 1987 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He attended refrigeration school in 1962 and ran a part-time refrigeration repair business, Payne Refrigeration, for several years. After retirement Gary and Peggy enjoyed backpacking, camping, fishing, and traveling across the US and Canada. For 25 years they spent the winter months as "Snowbirds" metal detecting and exploring the desert landscape around Quartzite, Arizona by ATV. In passing Gary leaves behind his loving wife Peggy; three children: oldest son Eddy Payne of Boise, daughter Sharon McFadden of Pasco, Washington, and youngest son Fred Payne of Nampa; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brother Dawson Payne in California; and baby sister Jeva in Alabama. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, July 2, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd, Nampa. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at www.zeyerfuneralchapel.com. Gary will be placed in his final resting place at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise later this summer.
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