Robert Michael Payne

Robert Michael “Mike” Payne, 79, passed away in his home in Salem, Oregon on Sept 3rd,
2022.
Mike was born in North Bend, Oregon on Oct 21st, 1942 to the late Robert Simeon Payne and
Eleanor Virgina (nee Ridings) Payne. When Mike was 3 years old, he lived briefly with his
mother and sister, Linda, in Marquam, Oregon at his grandparent’s farm while his father served
in the Army in WWII. Mike loved sports. He spent his childhood years playing basketball,
baseball, track and field, and a little football. As a youth he also enjoyed duck hunting around
Coos Bay. He graduated from North Bend High School in 1960. Since he excelled in various
sports, he received offers to play for several colleges. After discussing it with his father, he
decided on Brigham Young University because it provided a full ride scholarship to play
basketball. After completing his freshman year, Mike joined the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter- day Saints while at home in North Bend. In the fall of 1961,.he transferred for a short
stint at Portland State College (University). And then transferred to Pacific University in Forest
Grove in December 1961. Pacific University offered him a scholarship to play basketball. He
supplemented his scholarship by being a firefighter with room and board at the firehall in Forest
Grove.
While a student at Pacific University met Janice Kay Williamson and they got married
September 5, 1964. Mike graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology degree in 1965. Then he
moved with Janice to Eugene, where he then attended the University of Oregon to obtain an
Elementary Education Certification. While living in Eugene, he worked for Weyehaeuser and his
first son, Dennis, was born.
Mike took a new job with Weyerhaeuser and moved to Coos Bay, Oregon. While there he and
Janice also managed apartments and his second child, Carolyn, was born.
In 1968, his family moved to Hillsboro, Oregon where he took a job as an elementary school
teacher at Farmington View Elementary. His third child, Susannah, was born there shortly after.
His fourth child, Charlene, was also born in Hillsboro. Mike then moved his family to Cottage
Grove, Oregon and took a teaching job in the neighboring town of Drain. While in Cottage
Grove his fifth child, Joel, and sixth child, Nathaniel, were born.
In 1980 Mike gave up his career as a teacher and moved his family to Salem, Oregon where he
worked for Franz Bakery as a Route Salesman until retirement.
Over the years Mike enjoyed coaching little league, rafting rivers, watching and playing
basketball, attending Baseball Spring Training in Arizona, being a youth church leader, and
volunteering with Boy Scouts.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Janice of 58 years, three sons, and three daughters. Also 18
grandchildren (8 grandsons and 10 granddaughters) and 7 great-grandchildren. Mike is also
survived by his sisters, Deborah (Steve) Olson and Linda (Eric) Saukkonen.
A funeral service will be held 10:00am on September 15, 2022 at Brush College Ward Building
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Arrangements in the care of Rest Lawn
Funeral Chapel, Salem, Oregon. Mike will be laid to rest in the Robert Bird Cemetery,
Wilsonville, Oregon.