Kenneth B. Payne Sr. April 5, 1925 August 31, 2005 Services: Tuesday, Sept. 6, 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at East Hills Christian Church, 2500 Fairfax Rd., to celebrate the life of Kenneth Barrett Payne Sr., who passed away on August 31, 2005 from an incurable bacterial infection; PDSA or Penicillin-Resistant Streptococcus Aureus. Born in Billings, Montana to Silas Barrett Payne and Beatrice (Addington) Payne, Kenneth attended 10 different grammar schools and Jr. Highs while growing up in Bakersfield. He attended Bell High School in L.A. until he joined the Army Air Corp the middle of his 11th grade year (lied about age to get in). He received his H.S. Diploma from the Air Corp while in Credit Training in Washington. He spotted the girl of his dreams (Luella Ray) walking back and forth in front of his house when he was 15, she was 13. While on leave in 1944, Ken took Luella to the Pike in Long Beach and when the Ferris-Wheel stopped at the top, he proposed to her and she accepted. I had purchased an engagement ring from Byron Francis for $75, last of the big spenders. They married July 30, 1945 and remained very much in love. During his life he had two careers he dearly loved; the California Highway Patrol (Badge 957) and Building Homes (General, Electrical and Concrete Contractor's License 182777). He built his first home in 1948; 100% by himself, at the rear of 2737 Monterey Street in Bakersfield. He also made many lifelong friends while employed as a Firefighter for the Kern County Fire Department. He started working full time at 13, working nights while attending school during the day. After his Air Corp discharge and while working for Hughes Tool Co. in L.A., he received a call from Howard Hughes wanting him to move to Texas and work at their main office. He refused the offer and walked one block and went to work for Oilfield Electric, the beginning of his electrical career. When he was finally a licensed general contractor he had $1,000 to his name; One of my best friends and a contractor I had wired homes for; Curt Carter, was just starting homes on a street called Olive Drive. He gave me 15 lots to build on and told me to pay for them when I sell the houses. I started 4 houses with my $1,000 doing most the work myself, including digging the footings by hand, Dave Austin wanted $35 and I could not afford that. I finished 3 of the houses in 29 working days, PG&E furnished a 4 X 8 sign and a lady to cook cookies and I had an open house. I sold the 3 houses and took 8 contracts for homes in the Rosedale area for farmers that open house weekend. Throughout his life he loved traveling in his trailers and Motor Home. He had many close friends in the Good Sam Clubs and the Bakersfield Sundowners. He truly loved traveling and would still be traveling if he could. Kenneth is survived by his wife of over 60 years and his son, Kenneth B. Payne II and wife, Debbie. His sister, Dixie Holden and husband, Ron; grandson and his longtime traveling and fishing companion, Kenneth J. Payne (the navigator) and wife, Helene and their two children, Jordan and Charlie Payne; grandson and Kenneths clone, general and electrical contractor Jason Payne and then theres the light of his life, his precious granddaughter, Tammy DeMinico and her husband, Dean, as well as many other loving family members. Kenneth wanted it said that he was preceded in death by damned near everyone I ever knew. The family would like to thank the staffs of the Heart Hospital, Mercy Skilled Nursing Center, all the kind and helpful people at Kaiser Permanente, Doctor Peter Nalos and the man that gave us dad for three additional years, Doctor Sarabjit Purewal. They also want to thank all of Kenneths friends for all the support and for rallying round him these last few months. Thank you all and God bless you. In lieu of flowers, Kenneth asked that you donate to the church of your choice or his church, East Hills Christian. Legacy.com
This obituary was originally published in the Bakersfield Californian.
