David "Dave" Payne

David "Dave" Payne, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on December 27, 1927, died December 30, 2021; he and his family had moved to Phoenix in 1932, where he resided for most of the rest of his life. He was the husband of Jacqueline "Jackie" Payne (deceased) and the father of Matthew Payne. His parents Leonidas "Lon" and Helen Payne, and his sisters, Madison Hunter and Virginia Schwartz, predeceased him.

David Payne had been involved in flower arranging since the 1950s. He, Bud Morrison his business partner, and their wives set up Payne and Morrison Florists in 1964, which was a major flower shop in the Phoenix area for decades. He sold the business in 2009 when he retired. As part of his love of flowers and flower arranging, he spent three decades studying and teaching Japanese flower arranging which included participating in local chapters which taught these skills. As part of his love of flower arranging, for years he would make a Japanese flower arrangement on a weekly basis and display it at the Phoenix Art Museum.

In addition to flowers, he was an avid reader and he loved music. In his last days, he stated that he had accepted Christ as his savior. He loved people and had a wide circle of friends.

David Payne was an excellent role model who had many friends. As an Okie from Muskogee, the Dust Bowl led him and his family to move to Phoenix during the Great Depression. Growing up on a citrus orchard, he sold eggs from a bicycle as a child. As an adult, he had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a remarkable skill in making things work. He demonstrated a can-do attitude, worked hard all his life, and gave generously. He lived the old territorial Arizona attitude of taking people at face value without concerns about their background or credentials.

He is survived by his son Matthew, Matthew's wife Carol, and nieces and nephews and their children.