Daniel C. Payne

Daniel C. Payne passed away on October 29, 2010 at his residence in Carmichael, California from complications related to pre-leukemia. He was 82 years old.

He was born on September 7, 1928 in Glendale, Ohio. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Southern California where he spent his childhood years, including many adventures on the shores of Corona Del Mar and Newport Beach. He attended La Canada High School and U.C. Berkeley where he received his B.A. in journalism in 1950. Dan spent several years in the California National Guard in the mid-1950s, training at Camp Roberts and Fort Hunter Liggett. After college up until 1962, Dan worked for Kimber Farms in Pomona, California in multiple capacities.

Dan received his Masters in Education from Cal Poly Pomona in 1962 and began a career in education. A passionate teacher for many years, he taught primary school for five years in the Charter Oak School District in Glendora, California before moving to Aptos, California in 1968. From 1968 to 1984, Dan taught at Salsipuedes Jr. High School in Watsonville, except for two years during which he taught math at Aptos Jr. High School. He was devoted to his students and loved to engage them in science, math and English using innovative approaches. He thought the best way to understand physics was for students to chase the hot air balloons that they had made through the farms of the Pajaro Valley, learning a bit about real property law along the way. Dan seemed to share his students' energy, rebellious nature and sense of fun, allowing him to connect with them on their level and imbue them with the true joy of lifetime learning.

Dan had many adventures in his life. He could be found at 5:00 a.m. on weekend mornings fishing off Pt. Lobos in Monterey, bringing home as many stories as ling cod. He was a proud member of the 200K BMW motorcycle club with one cross-country trip with his son, John, and many camping outings to one of his favorite spiritual retreats, Death Valley. In 1986, Dan walked across the country in the Great Peace March spearheading logistics for camping and resting sites. From life guarding in high school, boxing in college, running the track at Cabrillo College in his fifties, and walking with Laddie, his inseparable Welsh corgi companion, through Bayside Village in Newport Beach in his seventies, he lived an active and vibrant life. Dan was a poet who loved listening to Irish Folk music, collecting Native American crafts, debating current events, challenging established ideas, and laughing over a competitive game of cribbage or bridge. Good humor and a contagious curiosity we're his gifts to all who knew him.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents Randolph and Hazel Payne, his brother Randy Payne, his sister, Cynthia P. Landis, his daughter Susan, and his nephew, Stephen Landis. He is survived by his sons, Daniel of San Francisco and his wife Julia, John of Fair Oaks and his wife Peggy, and Scott of Santa Cruz and his partner Eileen. He also leaves behind his nephew, Larry Payne and his wife Paula of Corralitos, his niece, Debbie Payne of Diamond Bar, his longtime friend Patricia W. Payne of Aptos, and his beloved granddaughters: Cayley, Claire, Madeleine and Laurel.

We will miss him dearly and remember him as a friend to all and a stranger to no one. He treasured the poetry, whimsy and beauty of everyday life lived to the fullest.

Private services will be held at Daniel's family resting place at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora, CA. Any desired gifts in his memory may be made in Daniel's name to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles or to the American Cancer Society.