DANVILLE- Lawrence “Larry” Eugene Payne, 84, of Danville, Ohio, passed away on February 8, 2015, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Tiverton Township, on June 27, 1930, the eldest son of Dwight and Violet (Logston) Payne, and married Doris Mae Young on September 19, 1953. They celebrated 51 years together until she passed away in 2004.
Larry graduated from Danville High School in 1948. While in school, he competed in football, basketball, and fast-pitch softball. His senior football team was the first at DHS to play under electric lights. During the 1947 season, Larry ran a 75-yard, triple-reverse punt return to help his team beat Fredericktown and win the county championship game. As pitcher, Larry also led his school’s fast-pitch softball team to victory in another county championship in 1948.
Larry enjoyed sports throughout his life. An avid golfer, he played in the Danville Golf League for more than 40 years. During the mid-50s, Larry and his close friend Harold Crouch once walked 54 holes of golf in one day. They relaxed that evening by playing a softball game where Larry pitched a no-hitter with Harold as his catcher.
After high school, Larry joined the US Army. From 1951-1953 he served as a paratrooper and military policeman for the 187th Airborne during the Korean War. He spent his free time playing football, basketball, and writing letters home to his mother and his sweetheart Doris.
In 1953, Larry returned from Korea and began working at Young’s Locker. He bought the business in 1968 and worked there until retiring at the age of 80. He was a lifetime member of the Ohio Meat Association and served as its president in the mid-70s.
Surviving are children, Lawrence R. (Laura) Payne, Gary (Deb) Payne, Dennis (Susan) Payne all of Danville, and Christine Payne of Mount Vernon; grandchildren Aimee Payne (Will Ludwigsen) of Jacksonville, Florida, Lawrence K. (Molly) Payne of Sunbury, Travis (Veronica) Payne, and Katie (Nathan) Bartok all of Danville, Jeremy (Shelly) Payne and Kasey (Zach) Uhler all of Howard, Kelly Payne, Tracy Payne, and Andy Payne all of Danville; brother Craig (Susan) Payne, and sisters Mariam Lyons, Evelyn Frazier, and Patricia (Lynn) Lyons all of Danville. Lawrence had 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
In addition to his wife, Larry was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Nedra Wears and Rose Payne, brother A. Harold Payne, brothers-in-law Delroyce Frazier, Lyle Lyons, and Juris Klavins, as well as sisters-in-law Judith Klavins and Iva Payne.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 at the Danville United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Orr officiating. Burial will follow in Workman Cemetery, with graveside military rites performed by the Knox Co. Joint Veterans Council. Calling hours are from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12th at the church. The Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is handling arrangements. fischerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Knox Co., 17700 Coshocton Rd. Mt. Vernon, OH 43050; Knox Co. Veterans Services, 411 Pittsburgh Ave. Mt. Vernon, OH 43050; or to the Danville U.M.C., P.O. Box 36 Danville, OH 43014.
