“I will enter in His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart I will enter His courts with joy I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice because He has made me glad.” Psalm 100:4-5
Nicholas Ryan Payne, age 34 of Pittsburg, KS died in his sleep in the early morning hours of July 4, 2025 from heart failure. He was born in Fort Scott Kansas on November 14, 1990 to his mother, Vonda K. Ngigi (Payne), and father Daniel G. Payne.
Nicholas was an only child who was raised by a single mother. Throughout his life, he had lived in various places in Kansas but resided in Pittsburg, KS. He had just recently moved to Parsons, KS and was there for only a short amount of time before his passing. He had gone there to begin an apprenticeship to obtain his licensing to be a tattoo artist. Nicholas loved the Lord God and had given his life to Christ when he was young. Nicholas has four children: Ivan Lee Robert Newberry, 16, Capri Paris Hart, 12, Riley Jacob Payne, 11, and Avery Joyce Payne, 4. Nicholas loved his children with all of his heart. He and his son Riley were two peas in a pod, as close as any daddy and son could be. Nick worked hard and did his best to be a good dad and provide for his kids. Nick was a fun-loving person and always up for a good laugh. Everyone who knew Nicholas well, loved him. He had a heart for people. He was dedicated to helping his Oxford family in Pittsburg, KS. He was a chapter leader in Oxford and head over three different Oxford houses on different occasions. He was chosen to represent Pittsburg Oxford at the convention in Wichita, KS in 2024. Nicholas struggled with alcohol addiction for many years, but had been sober, involved in, and living in Oxford for 3 and 1/2 years. He loved his Oxford family deeply and worked very hard to do his best by them all.
Nicholas’ best friend and love, Amber Nichole Tillisch, stood by his side, come what may, his entire 3 and 1/2 years in Oxford. His Oxford brother Paul Gronda and wife, Tanya helped Nicholas through his sobriety and encouraged him. Nicholas was someone who always made sure to help anyone, as his heart was full of care and compassion for others.
Nicholas was an excellent artist and was pursuing a career as a tattoo artist. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan as well.
Nicholas is preceded in death by his father, both paternal grandparents, Michael and Hilda Payne, and his maternal grandparents, Orville H. McGehee, and Verda F. McGehee, who he was extremely close to. Nicholas is survived by his mother, Vonda K. Ngigi and stepfather Daniel N. Ngigi of Pittsburg, KS. His children Ivan, Capri, Riley, and Avery.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 2nd at the Pittsburg Seventh Day Adventist Church, 430 E. 21st St., Pittsburg, Kansas with Pastor Douglas Elsey officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Nick Payne Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.