Gerry Payne

Funeral service for Gerry Payne will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 16, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church of Claremore.  Burial will follow at Wards Grove Cemetery.  Dr. Ray Crawford will officiate.

Lifelong Rogers Country resident Gerald Eugene Payne passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at the age of 79.

The son of Charles and Doris (Ward) Payne was born June 22, 1943, at the Franklin Hospital in Claremore.  His childhood was spent on the family farm just outside of Foyil, known as Broadacres.  As a he became older, he would begin attending Love School and Bushyhead School before attending Chelsea High.  There he would graduate as a member of the class of 1961.  After graduating Gerry entered the working world full force.  He had years of experience farming and ranching, so he decided to put his skills to work full time.  He had worked part time for the Stanley Ranch for years but would take his services there full time as the ranch foreman.  It was also during this time that he would propose to Judy Morrison.  They would marry on February 14, 1962, in Claremore.  The newlywed couple settled in on the ranch.  A few years later they would welcome a daughter Shannon followed by a son Shawn.  Over the next several years Gerry traveled the pro rodeo circuit as a steer roper all while working other full-time jobs.  He worked for places such as Douglas, American Airlines, the local coal tipple, and even opened his own Texaco station in Claremore complete with one of Claremore's first automatic car washes.

In the early 1980's Gerry would meet Shirley Neely Dowty.  The two began dating and married on December 2, 1983.   It was also during this time that he began to work full time for Jack Kissee Ford.  There he would serve as a parts manager and a short time as a salesman.  However, in 1991 Gerry decided to run for Rogers County Commissioner for District 1.  He won the election and took office in 1992.  Gerry loved serving his community, and the many boards that he was able to serve.   He took pride in helping his district grow, getting all but a few miles of his district paved or chipped before his retirement in 2006. 

In his spare time Gerry had many hobbies and past times that he enjoyed.  When he was younger, he loved roping.  This led him to serve as president of the Chelsea Round Up Club.  He enjoyed playing golf and played often until just a few short years ago. He enjoyed traveling seeing most of the east and west coast.  He enjoyed the frequent lunches; with all the friends he made while working at the Rogers County Court House.  However, it was his family that truly made him happy.  He always enjoyed the times together with them.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Doris Payne; wife, Shirley; and son Shawn.

Survivors include his daughter, Shannon Payne, stepchildren, Chris Baldridge and husband Clark and Steve Dowty and wife Sara; siblings, Charlie Payne and wife Betty and Kim Sala and husband Don, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great- grandchildren and many other extended family.