Charles Edward Payne was born in California. After graduating from high school Charly, as he liked to be called, joined the Army in 1966 honorably serving for 4 years. During this time he became an expert marksman and developed a love of pistols. While never being known to fire one, collecting and researching guns were his passion. Charly had a love of history and reading with a special affection for Vikings. Dad also had a great love for the Oakland Raiders football team, and many friends would come on Sundays to watch him loudly cheer them on. Many Monday mornings he went to work hoarse from yelling at his team.
After leaving the military, Charly made two important commitments in his life. One was to work for Pacific Bell Telephone Company as a switchman in Oakland, California, and the other was to marry Elizabeth Sallee and adopt her two children, Aaon Matthew and Asha Marie. Dad was a dedicated employee of Pacific Bell for 38 years, even becoming a union steward. Dad made many lifelong friends during his time at the phone company who fondly remember him. He and Elizabeth parted ways in the 70’s; but, his commitment to his children remained to the end. He would boom out Perseverance, Fortitude, Discipline and Courage!! to motivate his children. Dad was very modest and simple. A flannel shirt, work boots, and jeans were his favorite clothing choices and he often carried his lunch with a thermos to work. He was a proud owner of VW buses and bugs, often taking the kids and his beloved Afghan dog, Sheriffe, on many trips into the Berkeley hills to hike.
After retiring from Pacific Bell, Charly relocated to South Florida to be closer to his children and grandchildren, Brianna, Kayla and Dominic. He never forgot a birthday or holiday and gave generously. He eventually made his way to St. Petersburg making his home in a climate and neighborhood resembling the one he left in the Bay Area of California. Dad went home to God on February 1, 2018, in St. Petersburg, Florida surrounded by his children and will be forever loved. May he find eternal peace.
May you rest in peace Dad. I pray every moment for you to feel the eternal love of God and to know that you made a difference for your children and grandchildren to the end. You have always been an important part of our lives even if as adults we were not always together. I remember peanut butter and banana sandwiches on wheat bread (still my favorite), pretending I was shifting gears as you drove the bus, walking around in it because they didn’t require kids to be restrained then (and we lived lol), your Guns & Ammo books, and the way you could wiggle your ears without moving your face. Gift packages sent to your grandchildren from Oakland with toys, candies, and other cool stuff you collected and riding the ladders of the switch room with the million wires clicking at Pacific Bell while growing up. Love you Dad…
My condolences Asha. You father sure had a nice daughter and some good kids for grandchildren.
I will always love DAD.
Memories change over time. The wounds of yesterday are healed and the good times are remembered with a surprising clarity. I pray for your soul to be free of pain and to feel the Love of God. Eternal peace, Charlie.
You’ll forever be in my heart, grandpa. I love you.
Charly,
May you find Peace in the presence of the Lord our Savior. I remember one of our recent conversations regarding religion when you proclaimed in your slow, steady drawl, ” Tony, You know, I do know God.” I was taken aback by your previous agnostic proclamations. When I asked you how and when, you replied, “I have been watching that guy Charles Stanley’s program on tv.”
Being a viewer of In Touch Ministries, I am aware of Dr. Stanley’s consistent teachings from the Word of God and urging for viewers and members of his congregation to develop a personal relationship with God. For Charly to tell me he knew God I believe he experienced the words of Romans 5:10-11.
Charly, you will always be missed, loved, and appreciated. I thank you for all you did for your family. Thank you for being a gracious father, grandfather, and friend. Thank you for sharing your love of New Mexico chiles and history. The wisdom of life lessons you shared will always remain. May God Bless thee and keep thee. Love you, Tony
I’m late to comment, but I just saw these and happened to be checking the page, as I occasionally do.
Grandpa, I love you so much, and I will miss you every day. You did so much for me, and made it possible for me to make my first CD, and to have my first studio experience.
I know everything I know now about making music, because you believed in me and gave me an opportunity. I am not done using my gifts of music yet, and will fulfill my promise I made to you, that I would be a successful musician one day.
I’ll never forget the random boxes full of fruit rolls, beef jerky, and magazines, as well as plenty of jokes about alligators.
Your stories would entertain me and Rishawn for so many afternoons spent together on Grandma Dorothy’s back patio, and I truly hope she is up there with you now, enjoying a nice laugh thanks to one of your witty comments.
Love you grandpa, and I always will. Miss you so much! <3