Eldon Hubert Payne

© Cheyenne Star

26 Jun 2003

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Funeral services were held for Eldon Hubert Payne on Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Hammon with interment in the Red Hill Cemetery, Hammon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma.

Mr. Payne was born on September 4, 1919 at Colony to Fate and Ethel Patterson Payne and died June 19, at the age of 83.

He graduated from Colony High School and continued his education at Northwestern State College in Alva where he received his teaching degree. He later received his Masters Degree from OU.

While at Northwestern, Mr. Payne lettered in both basketball and baseball. He taught and coached at Colony and Cordell, where they won the State Championship in 1948, and at Hammon. At Hammon, he not only coached and taught math, but was also Superintendant of Schools for over 35 years.

Mr. Payne was married to Betty Jane Sievers August 9, 1940 and served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; two sons, Gary Payne and his wife, Ann of Sulphur; Ronnie Payne of Clinton; and one daughter, Susan Potter of Canute; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren; as well as other relatives and numerous friends.

Mr. Payne will always be remembered and appreciated for his great mind in finances. He did a lot to help make Hammon a school that continues today as a school that is financially sound.

He was a respected coach, teacher, administrator and friend.

He was an avid gardener, fisherman, and hunter.

He was honored by the Oklahoma Coaches Association and selected for their Hall of Fame and was honored locally with the naming of the Elcon Payne Fieldhouse at Hammon High School.

He also has a scholarship fund that was set up at his retirement that helps students with money to further their education.