Isaac Sanders Payne IV

Isaac (Ike) Sanders Payne, IV, born April 16, 1940, passed away Friday Oct 19, 2018 from heart failure.

Isaac was born to a farming family in Malakoff, TX.  When he was five, his family moved to Portland, Oregon where he attended grade school, high school, and two years of college at Portland State.  He was active in his church, Boy Scouts and participated sports.  Ike entered the US Air Force Academy and was one of the first 3 Black Americans to graduate (1963) and from there earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science and Basic Science and later a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the School of Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB

After graduation he attended Pilot Training in AZ and began an active career in the military as an officer and a gentleman which included assignments in New York, California, Vietnam, Ohio, Maryland, New Mexico, Washington D.C. and so on.  His roles included:  B-52 co-pilot , Combat Crew Training Squadron, flying combat missions as a forward air controller, aircraft commander, test pilot,  flight commander, assistance requirements officer at the Pentagon, Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, Chief of Ops of the Air Launched Cruise Missile program, B-52 Integrated Weapon System Test Force director,  Test Wing Deputy for Strategic Test, Director of Safety and Flight Operations. His final active duty assignment was Chief, Tactical Systems Development, National Security Agency. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in 1987.  In Albuquerque, NM he worked as a Sr Engineer for Advanced Sciences, Inc. until 1992. 

He accumulated over 4600 hours of flight time in more than 35 different aircraft. His military decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, 15 Air Medals, 2 Meritorious Service Medals and 2 AF Commendation Medals.  

Ike enjoyed an active retirement period with included extensive travels.  Ike loved life and sharing it with friends.  He had a passion for helping others and was active in local charities such as Meals on Wheels and the Sr Citizens center.  His hobbies were listening to jazz, researching family ancestry, reading, enjoying local theater and studying history. He was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque and a member of the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, Order of Daedalians and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

He is survived by daughters Kimberly Carter of Chula Vista, CA & Noralyn Clemons of Santa Clarita, CA and was the very proud grandpa of six; Jacob, Kaylee, Charles, Joseph, Laila and John.  He was predeceased by his parents Martha and Isaac Payne III.

He was loved and admired by his many friends, his fellow AFA graduates, military buddies and his family.  He will be sorely missed by all of them.

Services will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on 7 Nov 2018 at 1100 hours at the USAFA Cadet Protestant Chapel with inurnment following at the USAFA Cemetery after which a reception will be held at the AOG building, Doolittle Hall; 3116 Academy Dr; USAFA, CO 80840 (719.472.0300). 

A Memorial Service will be held in Albuquerque on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 9:30 am at First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, 3701 Carlisle Blvd. NE, with a reception to follow. 

Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his daughters; Mrs. Kimberly Carter; 769 Adobe Pl; Chula Vista, CA 91914-2408 or Mrs. Noralyn Clemons;  24413 Leonard Tree Ln, Unit 204; Santa Clarita, CA 91321

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque; PO Box 92614; Albuquerque, NM 87199; 505.823.8060 (www.mow-nm.org).  

Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010