74 year old Gazelle resident, Dale Patrick Payne, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 6, 2017 at his home. Dale was born in Yreka on April 5, 1943 to Earl Payne and Jessie Payne-Hegler of Scott Bar. Dale attended multiple grade schools in the Scott bar area, and graduated from Happy Camp High School before attending Sacramento City College and College of the Siskiyous.
Dale loved fishing, hunting, and the outdoors. He was active in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Back Country Horsemen of California, Top of the State Unit, where he was a board member and active in trail work and in charge of the fish plants for many years. Dale was also a member of the Mt. Shasta Horsemen, the Gazelle School board, the Gazelle Fire Department Auxiliary, and the Gazelle Fire Department.
Dale retired from CAL-FIRE (CDF) as a Heavy Equipment Operator in 2000.
Dale leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Mida; a daughter, Yvonne (Mike) Farwell; granddaughters, Danielle (Robert) Vanthida and Hayden McBroom; step-granddaughters Ryan Farwell, Heather (TJ) Albert; great grandchildren, Savanah, Allysen, Landen Dale, and, coming soon, Addison and a set of twins! Dale is also survived by a step brother, Jim (Ellen) Allen; sisters-in-law Sandy Payne, Peggy Young, Marie (Donald) Sutcliffe; brother in law, Ray Casterline; nieces, Rose Finch, Betty Balard, Jennifer Powers, Kim Schwartz, Renee Poch, Karen Nieman, Debbie (Rick) Knotts, and Dorena Mello; nephews, Mike (Maurine) Payne, John Scott (Lindsey) Payne, Roy (Karen) Sutcliffe, and many great nieces and nephews. Most importantly, Dale is survived by his trusty mule: Shasta.
A memorial services for Dale will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 2:00 p.m. at the Gazelle Grange, with a buffet lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gazelle Fire Dept. Aux., PO Box 188, Gazelle, CA 96034 or Mercy Mt. Shasta Hospice, 914 Pine Street, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067.