H. Thomas Payne

H. THOMAS PAYNE


H. Thomas Payne, 80, of Stilwell, KS, died in his home on February 28, 2011, surrounded by his three loving daughters. His beloved wife, Carolyn Nardyz Payne, to whom he was married for 51 years, predeceased him in December of 2009. Tom was born on October 18, 1930 in Olathe, Kansas. He was the oldest child of attorney Howard E. Payne and Fay Thomas Payne and brother of Dr. William B. Payne. As a child, Tom had a newspaper route, was a "soda jerk" at the local drugstore and was a lifeguard. He mowed lawns, even at a local cemetary. (He quit the cemetary job, however, when he accidentally fell into a grave.) He was an Eagle Scout; played football, basketball and tennis; formed a competitive Olathe swim team with his friends; played the clarinet; and, was active in theatre, debate and student council. Eventually in high school, he became quarterback of the football team, captain of the basketball team, co-editor of the school yearbook, president of the band and president of the drama club. When Tom graduated from Olathe High School in 1948, he was awarded the Board of Education Award for the most outstanding member of the senior class, based on scholarship, character, leadership and service to the school. Tom continued his success with "multitasking" at the University of Kansas, where he continued to excel in academics while serving as treasurer of the freshman class, vice president of the sophomore class, secretary of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity, secretary of the Owl Society, member of Sachem, vice president of the K-Club, head of the cheerleading squad, member of the K.U. Debate Team and member of the varsity swim team, where he held a record in the breast stroke. He served in the Navy from 1952-1954 during the Korean War, then finished his last college semester, graduating with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Kansas in 1954. He then attended law school at the University of Kansas from 1954-1957, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and was elected to Order of the Coif. Tom practiced law for many years as a member of the law firm Payne & Jones, Chtd.; he was highly regarded by his clients and peers. He was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1957 and to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a member of the Kansas Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel (Director 1972-74); and he served as Olathe's City Attorney from 1960-61. He was President of the Rotary Club of Olathe; member of the Board of Directors of Patrons State Bank and Trust; member of the Board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan of Olathe; member of the Board of Editors of the Journal of the Kansas Bar Association (1974-78); member of the Advisory Board of the K.U. Museum of Natural History (1989-92); member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants; and, member of the Kansas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Delaware Crossing Chapter. Tom and the love of his life, Carolyn, were extensive world travelers and enjoyed gardening, reading and music. Tom loved to research family geneology. He was fascinated by new technology and knew more about computers than those half his age. He was an avid collector of rare books, art, Native American artifacts and fossils. He was athletic well into his seventies and loved scuba diving, photography and nature. Other than his wife, however, his main passion was trout fishing. Tom's graceful casting technique for fly fishing was beautiful to watch. He tied his own flies and often used barbless hooks so as not to injure the trout he released. Finally, Tom was a generous philanthropist, allowing many students to go to college who could not otherwise afford to do so and contributing to a number of other charities, especially environmental causes. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and mentor. In short, he was a man of character who led an interesting life and made a very positive impact on others. He will be missed. Tom is survived by his three daughters, Chicago attorney Kimberly Payne (married to Donald T. Popravak), Melissa Schaffer (married to Timothy J. Schaffer) and Catherine Payne; and two granddaughters, Sophie and Lilly Schaffer. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Nature Conservancy, at www.nature.org/.