Dr. Maurice Payne Video Tribute
Dr. Maurice W. Payne, 78 year old Checotah resident and prominent McIntosh County physician died unexpectedly Saturday, September 29, 2012, while vacationing in Greece with his wife Gretchen and long time friends Bill and Sharon Parker Morrison.
Dr. Payne was born May 31, 1934 to P.K. and Ray Elaine Glaze Payne in Galt, Missouri. He married the love of his life, Gretchen Arlene Tackett, May 21, 1971.
Dr. Payne was a graduate of the Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, Missouri and earned his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery from the Kirksville College of Medicine. He completed his post-doctoral internship in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Payne began his medical career in Checotah, OK, in 1960 by joining Dr. Fred Parman and forming the Parman and Payne Clinic. The partnership continued until Dr. Parman's retirement when Dr. John F. Rice joined the practice in what became the Payne-Rice Clinic. During his career, he was one of the founding owners of Cedars and Checotah Nursing Homes. He was Chief of Staff at Muskogee Regional Medical Center in 1987. He served as member and President of the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Examiners, member of the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing Home Administrators, Director of the McIntosh County Health Department, Campus Physician of Connors State College, and Chairman of the OBGYN Department of Muskogee Regional Medical Center. Dr. Payne received the Distinguished Physician Award of the Osteopathic Association in 2000 and the Outstanding and Distinguished Service Award from the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners in 2001.
As a dedicated citizen of Checotah, he was always active in civic affairs. Dr. Payne was the Chairman for the Construction of the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library, Checotah City Council member, 2009 Old Settler's Day Parade Grand Marshall, President of the Eastern Oklahoma District Library System, 1998 McIntosh County Democrat Citizen of the Year, Checotah School Board member and past president (25 years), and member of the board of directors of Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield. He was instrumental in the establishment of the new Checotah Branch of the McIntosh County Health Department. Over the years, he was active in Jaycees, Checotah Lion's Club, Checotah Chamber of Commerce, Checotah Friends of the Library, and Checotah Landmark Preservation Society. Dr. Payne was a valued member of the First Baptist Church and sang with the renowned Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma.
Among his favorite past times, Dr. Payne enjoyed raising cattle on his ranch, as well as, traveling the globe with his wife Gretchen. They visited over forty countries spanning five continents. He appreciated theatre, various genres of music, and was an avid reader, bowler and sports fan. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the entire community.
Dr. Payne was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Gretchen; children Gregory Payne, D.V.M., wife Joanne of Carlsbad, NM; Tracie Payne of Edmond, OK; Julia Payne of Parker, CO; Keyton Payne, wife Gina of Kingwood, TX; Thomas Payne, M.D., wife Darla of Baton Rouge, LA; Shawn Payne, special friend Karen Lacy of Claremore, OK; grandchildren Amy Seese, Zachary Seese, wife Julie, Colten Sanger, Peyten Sanger, Stephanie Payne, Megan Payne, Maris Payne, Sara Payne, Caleb Payne, Moriah Payne, Lindsay Payne, Kirby Payne, and Micah Metcalf; and great grandchild, Benjamin Payne. He is also survived by his sister Judy Canning, husband Loyd of Kearney, MO, niece Sherri Earnst, husband Scott of Gallatin, MO; nephew Barry Canning of Phoenix, AZ, and sister-in-law, Meredith Tackett of Checotah.
As you honor Dr. Payne's life, in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church New Life Center Building Fund, 210 SW 2nd Street, Checotah, OK 74426. Viewing for Dr. Payne will be 9am -- 8pm Wednesday and 9am -- 8pm Thursday with family greeting friends from 5-7 pm at Garrett Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Checotah with Reverend Steve Dennis officiating. Committal prayers and Interment will be private. Dr. Payne's sons and grandsons, as well as, Dr. Mitch Myers and Lt. Colonel Wydman Sanders, Ret, will serve as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers are Kirk Clausing, Truman Dixon, Don Dowdy, Randy Knight, Rusty Martin, Dr. Mick Meador, Bill Morrison, Dr. Fred Parman, Dr. John Rice, Dee Sisson, Mark Calavan, and Jim Montgomery. You may share online condolences with Dr. Payne's family at garrettfamilyfuneralhome.com. The family entrusted his care, services and burial to John and Kim Garrett of Garrett Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 311 SW 2nd Street, Checotah, OK 74426 (918)473-2244.