Richard "Pinky" Payne

Richard “Pinky” Payne, 70, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019 at his home in Baxter, MN, surrounded by his wife, loving family and friends. The viewing and visitation will be  from 5-7pm Thursday, August 8th at The Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Memorial service will be Friday, August 9th at 10:30am at Brenny Family Funeral Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be immediately following the service at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN with Military Honors.

Richard was born on November 20th, 1948 in Brainerd, MN to George and Julia (LaJoie) Payne. At the age of three, after his father’s passing, his mother Julia married Gerald St. Marie. The family lived in the Brainerd-Pillager (MN) area. Richard “Pinky” attended school in Pillager. He was united in marriage with Carrie Mason on July 29th, 1995 in Brainerd. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War Era; following his discharge from the Military, he returned to Minnesota, settling in the Brainerd Lakes Area. He drove semi’s over the road for numerous companies and hauled U.S. Mail from Brainerd to the Bulk Mail Centers. He worked at Brainerd International Raceway, doing security and eventually head of security. He drove for Crow Wing County Detox, transporting chemical dependent individuals to detox and treatment centers. He was very involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, where he sponsored and assisted others. He accomplished close to thirty-five years of sobriety. Richard enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other children. He enjoyed riding motorcycle and was a Harley enthusiast. He also enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, playing cards, dice, and cribbage games. He also had a love for animals.

Survivors include his wife Carrie; his sons, Christopher and Kenneth; daughters, Megan and Patricia; a sister, Delores. He was blessed with eighteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren (with very soon to be a third). Richard and Carrie brought up their grandchildren, Nicole, Brandie, Lindsay, Juan and Lilly. Richard had many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He also accepted many children as his own. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Julia; step father, Gerald; his brothers, James, Gerald and Larry; his very special friends, Martin and Doug; his pets, Georgie and Charlie.