Louis Kent Payne

LOUIS KENT PAYNE

Louis Kent Payne, 88, died peacefully of natural causes on October 23, 2011, surrounded by his loving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at his home in American Fork, Utah.

Kent was born on January 24, 1923 to Louis Meyers Payne and LaVerna Kent in Ogden, Utah. He graduated from Ogden High School, Weber Jr. College, The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, and the University of Utah.

On July 23, 1943 Kent married the love of his life, Beth Rhees of Pleasant View, Utah in the Logan temple. They became the proud parents of two sons and six beautiful daughters. He was an officer in the United States Navy for 28 years where he served in the Pacific theatre of WWII, the Korean War, and the Viet Nam War. While serving in Viet Nam, Captain Payne was awarded a Presidential Citation for finding ways to trim millions of dollars from the cost of the war. He retired from the Navy and returned to Utah in 1971 where he aspired only to watch his family and manicured yard and garden grow.

He taught Navy ROTC at Viewmont High School for several years, but a life of leisure was not to be his. Kent was born with an engaging personality and natural leadership ability that won him the love and loyalty of all he worked with. He served in many responsible leadership positions outside of the military as well. He was called to serve as a bishop of the LaMesa 2nd Ward in La Mesa California, as a member of the Stake Presidency in Farmington, UT, as the first mission president of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mission, and as a member of two Ogden temple presidencies where he also served as a sealer.

Kent was preceded in death by his wife, Beth, who died in December of 1993, two grandchildren, his parents, and a sister, Patricia Andrews. He is survived by his brother, T. Jay Payne (Marilyn), Kaysville, Utah; and by his two sons and six daughters: Michael Kent Payne (Olivia), Eagle Rock, Missouri; Robert Louis Payne (Lisa), Farmington, Utah; Marla (Joel) Rush, American Fork, Utah; Carleen (Michael) Tanner, Boise, Idaho; Sandra (Steven) Errigo, West Point, Utah; Cecilie (Mark) Rush, Layton, Utah; Renee (Falefaaea) Piula, Syracuse, Utah; and Marilee Richins of Centerville, Utah.

Kent and his entire family express their sincere love and appreciation to the wonderful staff of A+ Hospice Care in American Fork and to Steven Rush, Kent''s Grandson, for their tender and loving care during Kent''s final months.

We are so blessed to have shared our life journeys together as a family. We love and honor you Dad.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 28, at 11 a.m. at the Farmington South Stake Center located at 695 S. 200 E. Farmington, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday, October 27, from 6 to 8 pm at Lindquist''s Bountiful Mortuary 727 North 400 East, Bountiful, Utah and again for one hour prior to the funeral services. Internment will be held at the Ogden City Cemetery. Condolences may be share at www.lindquistmortuary.com.