Roland "Clark" Payne

Roland “Clark” Payne, 86, of Livingston, passed away of natural causes on Friday, December 7, 2018. He was born April 2, 1932 in Elton, MT, just east of Livingston, to Harry and Anna Opal (Walter) Payne. Clark was one of 14 children and was raised on the family ranch.



Clark enlisted into the US Army during the Korean War and served in Korea. He was severely injured during combat, despite his injuries he was able to rescue a fellow soldier, he was awarded a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts for his heroism. He spent the next year in the hospital in Japan, while being treated for his injuries.



Clark married the love of his life Irene Ann Smith on March 19, 1953 in Livingston. The couple made their home in Livingston and raised 2 boys. Despite being disabled from the military he also worked as a custodian for the Livingston public schools until his retirement in 1976.



Clark enjoyed everything Montana had to offer, he loved to camp, hunt and fish. His family also remembers he loved to putter around the house, he was known to have a perfect lawn and was in competition with the neighbors for years. In later years Clark and Irene also enjoyed traveling south in the winter and camping in the desert.



He was a member of the VFW and the Livingston American Legion and was a member of Living Hope Church. Clark was known to be a kind and generous soul, he was frugal with himself, he never met a stranger and loved his soaks at Chico, he was quick to make friends.



He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene and all but one of his siblings.



Survivors include his 2 sons, Tom Payne and Jim (Susie) Payne all of Livingston; two grandchildren Sheri Adams of Chandler, AZ and Loree (Penny Davis) Payne of Flagstaff, AZ; 3 great grandchildren Brooklyn, Tyler and Daniel; his sister Martha Hampson of Livingston; and numerous nieces and nephews.



A graveside service will be held later.



The family would like to thank the kind, compassionate caring staff at Bridger Health and Rehab for the extraordinary care.



Memorials may be made in his name to Bozeman Health Foundation, (Memo Line Hospice), 931 Highland Blvd, Suite 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715.