Kenneth L. Payne

Kenneth Payne was born November 22, 1957, in Columbus Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin Raymond Payne and Ada Marie Payne, brother Raymond Payne, favorite aunts Lillian Dailey and Anna Byrd. Ken leaves to cherish his memory, his committed partner/soul mate of 23 years Anthony Hinton; his sister Paulette Payne, nephews Jason Payne and Ricky Payne; niece Yolanda White; special friends Sarah Bradley White, John Marshall, Greg Carter, Raymond Farmer, Bob Miracle, Carnard Marks, Crystal Johnson; two God children; and many other beloved relatives and friends. Ken attended Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Mifflin High School. He was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University where he received his bachelor's degree. He obtained his Master's Degree in Public Administration at Governor's State University of Illinois. Ken began his career at The Ohio State University in the division of property management as a business manager where Ken not only further helped bring new property to The Ohio State University campus but he was successful in the negotiate phases of bringing the Wendy's Franchise to the Arthur G. James Cancer Center. Following his successful tenure at The Ohio State University, he began his career as a Finance Professional when he accepted a job at the University of Illinois as Assistant Director of Business and Financial Affairs. Ken later became the Associate Vice President/or Business Finance position at Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia. Ken Payne was Chief Investment Officer for the international nonprofit, non-governmental C.A.RE organization before becoming Chief Financial Officer at the Population Council in New York. Later, he worked as Vice President/or Finance and Business (CFO Treasurer) for St. Peter's University. Ken obtained numerous awards and certifications in economic/finance/treasury, including being named Chief Financial of the Year in 2005! Constantly noting there were few minorities who held titles such as his in the world of Investment/Economics, he consistently educated minority students in the arena of finance and economics. One of Ken 's visions was to have board rooms across the country that reflected not only all type of educational background but also having all type of races represented. Ken served on many non-profit boards of directors and as Chief Financial Officer on other charity board of directors. He was a member of a local Chicago Church and a member of the church music team. He was also an avid golfer and bicyclist, a sports enthusiast who enjoyed attending championship sporting games. Ken, in dedication of his mother, was well known for his giving spirit; volunteering with local pet organizations including all of the area animal shelters in the cities in which he lived. Two of Ken 's passions was feeding the homeless and feeding the birds. This was seen in his volunteerism with God's Love We Deliver, Meals on Wheels, and in volunteering to feed the homeless every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kenneth Payne was known to his family, friends, and colleagues as a compassionate, caring, giving person, and as an effective, practical, and thorough business executive. He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him. Everyday, we get to decide whether it will be the end of our best days or the beginning of our finest hour ... Kenneth Lewis Payne Never start your day by saying Good Morning but praise your day by saying GLORY MORNING ... Kenneth Lewis Payne