Robin L Payne's Obituary
Robin L. Payne, age 72, passed away peacefully in his home on February 17, 2025 following a decade-long battle with cancer and other long-term illnesses.
Robin was born in Holbrook, Arizona in 1952. He was the fifth of six sons born to Roy and Ruth Payne. His family moved to California when Robin was about 4 years old. Robin excelled in school and graduated from East Nicolaus High School in 1970. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints soon after in the Canada Alberta Saskatchewan Mission. Upon returning home, Robin attended Brigham Young University and obtained his bachelor’s degree in English Literature. He continued his education at Brigham Young University and obtained a Master’s degree in Library Science.
Shortly after Robin accepted a position as a reference librarian at Arkansas State University, Robin married the love of his life, Cindy Cranmer, in 1987, in the Los Angeles Temple. Arkansas was where Robin and Cindy started and raised their family for the next 29 years. Robin was a loving and committed father and provider to his three children: Jaylynn, Ryan, and Anna. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout his life and served in many leadership callings, including serving in six bishoprics, Sunday School president, a leader for the young adults along with his wife, and a devoted home teacher and friend to many. Robin had a great love for reading all throughout his life and could often be found reading in his recliner in his spare time. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, listening to music, and serving others in any way he could.
Robin retired early when his beloved wife, Cindy, was diagnosed with early onset dementia. They relocated to Utah in 2015 to be closer to immediate and extended family members. Robin devoted his time and energy to caring for Cindy until her passing in 2020. He was such a devoted caretaker and showed such tender care and attention to his wife. Once, when a daughter commended him for his service in tenderly caring for Cindy, he simply remarked, “She took such good care of all of us for so many years. Now it’s my turn to take care of her.” He missed her dearly after her passing and tried to keep himself busy. He loved being a grandpa and enjoyed spending time with and virtually visiting with his 4 grandchildren as often as possible. He never missed an opportunity to express his love to his grandchildren in clear and quirky ways. He tried to keep busy after Cindy passed as he continued to read and listen to music and served as a wonderful ministering brother to many families in his ward. He even tapped into his creative side and learned some new hobbies in his last few years such as woodworking and folding origami, for which his family is eternally grateful as we now have so many beautiful and tangible pieces he made and gifted to us. It was clear to all that Robin missed his eternal companion, and although we miss him here dearly, we are also relieved and happy that he is now whole and reunited with his dear Cindy.
Robin is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers Allen, Evan, and Charlie. He is survived by his children, daughter, Jaylynn, of Orem, UT, son, Ryan (Bryanna) of Bella Vista, AR, and daughter Anna (Vinny) of Saratoga Springs, UT; and brothers Grantly (Gay) of Idaho Falls, ID and Adair (Barbara) of Lehi, UT. He leaves behind 4 cherished grandchildren: Lucian, Tyson, Claire, and Lydia.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Intermountain Health Home Hospice for their skill and loving care given to Robin and his family to help keep him comfortable in his home following a quick decline over the last few days of his life.
A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service beginning at 9:30 a.m. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building located at 95 North 600 West in Orem, Utah. Burial will follow at the Orem City Cemetery. For those unable to attend the service in person, a Zoom broadcast has been made available: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87185000224
Meeting ID: 871 8500 0224
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