CARROL and LEONA PAYNE

PAYNE, CARROL and LEONA After over 70 years of marriage, it is impossible to write about one without the other. Carrol went peacefully at home with his sons at his side. He was preceded by his wife and soul mate for over 70 years, Leona. Carrol was born July 21, 1921 in Harrold, South Dakota, the oldest in a family of five children. From an early age, Carrol knew the meaning of hard work; helping his father and mother on the farm. Like most Midwesterners, they too, were hit hard by the Great Depression and Carrol often worked odd jobs (shining shoes, assistant janitor at his high school, and pin setter at the local bowling alley) to help the family make ends meet. After high school, Carrol held various jobs in both South Dakota and Wyoming and briefly attended the University of Wyoming in 1940. On September 19, 1940 at age 19, Carrol married his high school sweetheart, Leona Korkow and settled in Laramie, Wyoming. In early 1942, Carrol found employment working in various capacities for the Union Pacific Railroad finally ending up as a conductor. In the spring of 1943, a P38 Lighting flew over Laramie. Carrol decided to join the Army Air Corps and earned his wings flying P51 Mustangs. At the war's end, Carrol was discharged and returned to Laramie, Wyoming to resume his position as conductor for the Union Pacific Rail Road in late 1945. During the war years, Leona was busy working as an accountant at various department stores. In 1947, she started her long career as an accountant in the medical profession working for a medical practice in Laramie and later in San Diego. Carrol always set out to better himself. During the post war years, he invested in several side ventures in addition to his rail road job including selling cars, investing in a gold mine, and raising chinchillas. In 1954, Carrol started a uranium prospecting venture. After nearly a year-and-a-half of Carrol being in the field prospecting and 15 years of marriage without children, Leona forced Carrol to sell off interests in the uranium holdings to allow them to adopt their first son, Gregory, in September of 1955, followed shortly thereafter with their second son, Lee, in January 1956. In mid-1959, Carrol, Leona and their sons left Wyoming for the warmer climate of San Diego, California. In late 1959, Carrol passed the California real estate exam and started selling real estate, however, in 1961, the stock market caught his attention which led to a 24-year career in the market as both a trader and a broker before finally retiring in June of 1985. After several years in the Clairemont area, the Payne family settled in La Jolla in 1963. During this time, Leona was passionately involved in her local church, All Hallows. She served as Women's Guild Vice President in 1965 and then as President in 1967. She was also a dedicated mother helping her sons in school and with Boy Scouts. She rejoined the work force as an office manager for a local medical practice in 1968 that she held until she retired in 1990. After her husband's retirement, Carrol and Leona enjoyed their golden years traveling, spending precious time with family, being doting grandparents and watching their favorite team, the San Diego Padres. They also continued to attend regularly for Sunday services at All Hollows Catholic Church in La Jolla where they had been parishioners since 1963. Leona Payne went peacefully to her Lord at home on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Leona was preceded in death by her beloved grandson Casey Payne and 10 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sisters Ruth and Esther and many nieces and nephews. Carrol peacefully followed Leona five-and-half-month later from their home on September 13, 2010, in the late afternoon with his sons in attendance. Carrol is survived by his two sisters Ruth and Mary in addition to his younger brother Ted. Carrol was preceded in death by his sister, Katherine. Carrol and Leona are survived by their sons, Gregory and Lee, and their families respectfully, wife Cheri, children Hannah, Matthew, Todd, Michael, Katie, and Lee's wife, Andrea, children Brittany and Benjamin, and five great-grandchildren. Carrol and Leona are deeply missed by those close to them. They will be interred together following a brief service at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, CA, on November 12th, at 12:00 p.m. For additional information, please contact Lee Payne at 858-395-5925 or email rememberCarrolandLeona@cox.net or Greg Payne 858-231-5446.