James R. Payton

James “Jamie” R. Payton, 42, of Norfolk, formerly of Grand Island, died unexpectedly, October 10, 2018, at his home in Norfolk, NE. Memorial service will be 11:00 AM Monday, October 15, 2018, at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island with Derek Apfel officiating. A time of fellowship with the family will begin at 9 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the family to be used for funeral expenses. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Jamie was born October 28, 1975, in York, NE, to Richard and Sandra (Cox) Payton. He grew up in the Fullerton area. He graduated from Fullerton High School in 1994 and attended Curtis Community College for surveying. After school, Jamie was employed by the State of Nebraska as a surveyor. He earned an award for “Asphaltic Concrete Pavement Smoothness”. Later he worked on the construction of many of the area Ethanol Plants.

In 1996, Jamie was united in marriage to Heather Goehring. The couple lived in the Central City and Grand Island area and had three children. In 2005, he married Bobbie Tweedy, and they lived in Grand Island. He moved to Norfolk in 2018 with his current girlfriend, Gretchen Belzer.

Motorcycles, NASCAR, doing puzzles, and watching documentaries were some of his pastimes. Jamie was a practical joker and loved the 4th of July. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family, children, grandchildren, and four-legged children.

Jamie is survived by his three children: Alexis Yepez of Superior, NE, Tressa Payton (Kyle Ault) of Sutton, NE, and Jayden Payton of Superior, NE; two grandchildren: Samuel and Dean Yepez; parents: Richard and Sandra Payton of Grand Island; sisters: Amber (Troy) Mack of Archer, NE, Crystal (Timmy) Bell of Grand Island; aunts and uncles: great aunt Theda Van Horn of St. Paul, NE, Vicki Gravitt of Omaha, NE, Kathy (Richard) Galusha of Central City, NE, and Butch (Becky) Payton of Tulsa, OK.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, great uncle: Bill Van Horn, brother-in-law: Larry Friedrichsen; cousin: Shane Payton; and niece: Destiny Suing.