Ralph W. Payne passed peacefully in his sleep February 17th 2024, he was born January 3rd 1952 to Robert & Charlotte Payne (Thorne) .
Ralph grew up in Elk WA and graduated from Riverside High School in 1971. He spent many years in his youth working alongside his family in their business. He learned he had a knack and a love for working on cars and ventured out into the field of auto mechanics.
Ralph enlisted in the armed forces and served as a Marine in active duty from March 11, 1974 during the vietnam war. When he came home he embraced family life as a new dad to Chris “Lonnie” Payne (Maria). In the subsequent years he became a father to four more children, Tami Shaw (Justin), Kim Pelletier (Layne), Pam Slinkard (Ed) and Staci Johnson (Chris).
He was devoted to his children and always did what he believed was right in their upbringing, even if that wasn’t the easy decision. And he was always a good listener. His children made him the Grandpa of 18, and Great Grandpa to 7 more. Family and love of his Country were everything to Ralph. He reminisced often about his time in the military, and not a day went by that he didn’t brag about the accomplishments of any one of
his children. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and five of his 11 siblings (Edward, Joyce, Ronnie, Gary, Delbert). Ralph leaves behind years of wonderful memories to those who loved him, and will be missed dearly by his friends and family.
Special thanks to the caring staff at the Villager in Castle Rock for making our dad part of their family for the last 11 years.