Lloyd Earnest Payne was born January 24, 1919 at Cope, Colorado to Thomas and Dorothy (Kettenring) Payne.

He grew up on his parent's farm and attended school at East Arickaree country school where he graduated from the eighth grade. As he grew older, he became part of the Payne Family Country Dance Band, playing drums and guitar. The Band traveled all over parts of Eastern Colorado playing for dances and other entertainments.

At one of the dances, he met Inez Edrie Craig and they started dating. They were married on August 31, 1940 in St. Francis, Kansas. In 1941 they rented the Riley place in the Arickaree community, and later was able to buy it. Their four children were born while they lived there. They kept up the farm, raising crops, milking cows, raising chickens, having a big vegetable garden, the usual things that keep a small farm going. They weathered dust storms, droughts, hail storms, blizzards, lightening storms, etc. At that time the small farms in that area had no running water, phone or electricity.

In 1944, Lloyd was drafted into the Army Air Corps where he was trained to be an aircraft mechanic. In 1946, he was honorably discharged, returned to Colorado and they resumed their farming.

They were members of the Sunnydale Church and when the new church (the present day one) was build, Lloyd was one of the men helping with the construction. They often worked into the night using car lights to finish up a certain area.

In the fall of 1954, Inez suffered a heart attack that seemed to baffle the doctors as to treatment (no modern day medicine or treatments at that time). Finally the doctors recommended a lower altitude with a warmer climate, so they chose Arizona. They sold most of their belongings at an auction and with their four children, moved to Tempe, Arizona.

Because of his aircraft mechanic training in the service, Lloyd was able to secure a good job with (Airesearch) Garrett Corporation in Phoenix, Arizona where he worked for 26 years. When he retired in 1981, he and Inez sold their home in Tempe and moved to Green Valley, Arizona where they lived for 6 years. Living in Arizona during the winter and Flagler during the summer became quite a hassle so they decided to sell their place in Green Valley and make Flagler their permanent home. They purchased the McBride house where they lived for twenty years.

Staying retired didn't last long for Lloyd. He worked for Norman Michal driving tractor during the summer. Then he was offered a part-time job driving truck for Colorado Birdseed Company. That turned into a full-time job for 9 ½ years. Because of failing eyesight, he had to retire once again.

Lloyd and Inez celebrated 65 years of marriage in August, 2005 with a reception that was arranged by their four children. The highlight of the day was the amateur photography session before the reception. It was a great day for remembering with family and friends. It was also the first time that the immediate family had all been together since Lloyd and Inez's 50th anniversary celebration.

Lloyd was a member of the American Legion Post 81 and the Blinded Veterans Association. In January, 2011, Lloyd's membership in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) was approved and in February, with his four children, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren present, he was inducted into the organization.

Lloyd passed away August 31, 2014 at Colorado Springs Lloyd is preceded in death by his wife Inez, his parents Thomas and Dorothy Payne, his brothers Lawrence, Lee, Ray, Cecil, Thomas Jr. and his sisters Mary and Baby Girl Payne.

He is survived by four children: Lola Eileen Brinkmeier, Lloyd Earnest Jr. and his wife Karen, Lois Elaine and Leslie Eugene. He is also survived by five grandchildren and three great grandchildren: David Payne and his daughter Ashley; Dawn Brinkmeier and her husband Brandon Bonin; Cathy Payne and her husband Brad Minson and their son Jameson Minson; Lisa Brinkmeier and her husband Andy Couch; Jolene Payne and her husband Jade Bell and her son Garret Dimoff; and a former granddaughter-in-law Suzanne Payne.

He is also survived by one sister, Fern Welch; one brother-in-law Marvin Craig and his wife Joan; one sister-in-law Margaret Meyers; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were at the Flagler Cemetery with the American Legion color guard assisting. Interment was also at the Flagler Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Flagler Ambulance Service.