Merton Elmo Payton

Merton Elmo Payton, 73, of Casper, Wyoming passed away on December 19, 2013, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Mert was born at home in Powell, WY on January 16, 1940 to John and Lucile Payton. After moving to Boysen during his youth, he graduated from Shoshoni High School in 1958. He then attended an electronics trade school in Denver, soon to enlist as an Aviation Electronics Technician in the U.S. Navy July 1959 to July 1963.

Mert was stationed at Naval Air Station Miramar, CA for much of his naval career, but spent time as part of the air wings on the USS Midway CV-41, USS Ranger CVA/CV-61, and the USS Constellation CV-64.

Mert married Louise Machan, shortly after his Honorable Discharge from the Navy and they lived a short time in the Los Angeles area. After the birth of their son, Frank, they soon moved to Casper in November 1964 where Mert started his career as a Central Office Technician with Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co. (later becoming Mountain Bell, US West, Qwest). Mert and Louise divorced in 1966.

Mert married Shirley Ann (Crane) Gibson in September 1966 and soon after adopted her three children, Viki, Kelli, and Rob. Mert's time with the telephone company was spent mostly in Casper working in the Central Office and switching equipment and with the nearby microwave systems. He spent several years working in Yellowstone National Park for the telephone company including time during the 1988 Yellowstone fires. Mert was deeply involved with the employees union at the telephone company, spending numerous years as CWA union President.

After 36 years, Mert retired from Qwest Communications in February 2001. He then spent the next 13 years spending time with family and friends, working on his shop, his 1933 Ford Coupe and his 1946 Chevy Panel Delivery, and golfing. Mert has enjoyed the last five winters spending time with family/friends and golfing in Mesa, AZ.

Mert enjoyed many activities, especially in the outdoors. He enjoyed spending time with his family fishing and water-skiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, picnics at the cabin, bowling, golfing, and ATV riding. Mert was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Elks Lodge, and the Eagles. He was a member of the National Street Rod Assn (NSRA) and Wyoming Street Rod Assn (WSRA) and enjoyed spending time with his car friends at shows and at his shop.

He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 38 years, Shirley Payton. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucile Payton, and his oldest daughter, Viki Cerkan (Jon, surviving). Mert is survived by his daughter, Kelli Kemper (Larry) of Lakewood, CO; sons, Rob Payton of Casper and Frank Payton (Cheryl) of San Tan Valley, AZ; grandchildren, John Marvel (Kelli), Angie Boroz (Joey), Mike Everding (Cally), Lindsey Cummins (Gentry), Chandra Becker (Luke), Travis Sanders, Rhiannon Harrigan, Matthew Payton, Michael Payton and Sara Payton. Surviving siblings include brother, Smith Payton (Patricia) of Longmont, CO; and sisters Mable Frederick (Chuck) of Guernsey, WY; Florence Hayes (Bob) of Livingston, TX; and Betty Jo Martinez (Pete) of Guernsey, WY. Mert has 17 surviving Great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Services for Mert will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home on Saturday, January 4th at 12 noon. A celebration of Mert's life will follow at 1:00pm at the Casper Elks Lodge #1353 at 108 E. 7th Street (7th and Center). In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.NewcomerCasper.com.