In our last email string in late May, we kicked around ideas: His thoughts on the new location of BearFest Village (he was a huge Bears fan). What the May Day celebration was like in the 1940s and ’50s.

But he decided he wanted his column to explore this issue’s cover story: “Regarding my upcoming article, I will tie it in with the sibling theme.”

He could find something to say on almost any topic. Payton, a 1950 grad and former student body president, had decades of MSU experiences upon which to draw. He started working at his alma mater in 1956, and was among the founders of public relations on campus. He oversaw an office that included information services, publications and alumni relations.

After retiring in 1987, he continued to write for MSU publications. He also spoke at almost all annual Homecoming luncheons for Golden Bears, a milestone designation for MSU alumni who graduated from, or attended, 50 or more years ago.

He was a prolific writer: He authored more than 75 published plays, some of which were performed while he was a student on campus. He was a poet, and his piece “Ode to the Fabulous Four” — about the back-to-back men’s basketball national championships in 1952 and ’53 — is on display in JQH Arena.

In 2002, he was inducted to Missouri State’s Wall of Fame. In 2003, he was the recipient of the Alumni Association Award of Appreciation.

So, for the final Payton Place, we leave you with quotes from the man himself. Goodbye, Don; we’ll miss all the stories.

Payton through the years

“The ‘S’ club boys say that the wearing of sports sweaters other than SMS sweaters on the campus is taboo, out, over. In other words, would those who have been wearing letter sweaters from other schools please refrain from doing so in the future.” — Sports column, The Standard, Oct. 8, 1948

“On the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 20 … I attended a reception for Dr. (Virginia) Craig, held in a new building, Craig Hall, named in her honor. As I looked around, I knew that others had their own thoughts, their own personal memories, of this wonderful person who has meant so much to so very many of us.” — Southwest Missouri State College Bulletin, November 1968

“McDonald Arena has touched the lives, in one way or another, in some time or another, of a majority of people residing in Springfield and the Ozarks. … Suddenly, names, faces, people and events, all of them linked in some magical way to McDonald, strummed gently on the harp strings of my mind.” — Payton Place, Southwest Missourian, April 1985

“During my first year on the staff, the faculty-staff wives had their annual White Elephant Christmas party. Everyone brought an anonymous present for the gift exchange … I donated a frayed, outdated, garish blue tie that was probably six inches wide (the current style was 1-1/2 inches, max). The next morning I met (President Roy) Ellis in the hall outside his office. He was wearing — you guessed it — my old tie. Explained Dr. Ellis with a grin, “A group from the Senate Appropriations Committee is visiting the campus today. I want them to know how badly we need money.” — Payton Place, Southwest Missourian, spring 1993

“According to an item that appeared in The Standard in the 1930s, Dean Bertha Wells once told a female student: ‘Either your skirt is too short, or you are in it too far.’ … Since 1982, I’ve had the honor of addressing each 50-year reunion class and, yes, I’ve probably told that same story every year.” — Payton Place, Missouri State magazine, spring 2012