Richard Gene Payton, 55, Harrisonville, MO, formerly of Hays, KS, died Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at Cass Regional Medical Center, Harrisonville, MO. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville, MO. The family suggests memorial contributions to Atkinson Funeral Home, 600 W. Wall Street, Harrisonville, MO 64701 to help with funeral expenses.

Richard was born on March 25, 1956 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Willard Gordan and Clara (Kinnech) Payton. He had worked as a nurse in nursing homes and clinics in the Hays area; currently he was working for the Mid-America Dialysis Center in Harrisonville, MO. Richard enjoyed boating, jet skiing , water skiing and spending time at the lake.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by two children, Kevin Payton and Crystal Payton, both of Manhattan, KS; three brothers, Ken Payton and wife, Vickie of Tucson, AZ, Randy Payton and wife, Cheryl of California, MO, Pat Payton of Overgaard, AZ; three sisters, Denise Head and husband, Ron of Stover, MO, Connie Lewis, Missouri and Darlene "Sis" Payton of Stover, MO; nephews and nieces.