Thomas R. Payne ’78

THOMAS R. PAYNE, Portland, OR, died December 24, 2022. After Saint Michael’s, Tom received an MBA from Chapman University in California. Throughout his life, he developed a tightknit group of friends who enjoyed boating, skiing, and the outdoors. It was in Southern California that he met the love of his life, Stephanie. Tom worked in pharmaceuticals and banking before following his passion and moving to Portland to build custom homes. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, build, or craft, and he was always ready to help anyone in need. A particular joy was his time spent on the Mount Hood Ski Patrol, working his way up to become director of training. He embodied John Muir’s saying “I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God than in church thinking about the mountains.” He is survived by his wife Stephanie, two daughters, three granddaughters, siblings including Julia Cooper ’82, and extended family.