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Jack Payne, 1923-2022

The legendary Nebraska sports broadcaster passes away at age 99

David Max

Nebraska Hall of Fame

Legendary Nebraska broadcaster Jack Payne passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 1st, 2022. He was 99 years old.

I first met Jack when he came to a Californians for Nebraska dinner in the early 2000s with his daughter Karen and her husband Ray Shaw. Since then I was able to spend time with Jack at the Nebraska Classic Golf Tournament in Palm Springs that has been held every February for almost 50 years. Ray is the main organizer of the tournament.

Ray and I spent many of those tournaments setting on the long ball tee with Jack and listening to many of his broadcasting stories.

Jack Payne with Ray Shaw, Donna and David Max
Jack Payne, son-in-law Ray Shaw, Donna and David Max

After play was completed, Jack would tell a story or two at the after-tournament meal and run the raffle, which was always entertaining with his broadcasting voice.

Jack Payne - Nebraska Classic Raffle
Jack Payne reading the raffle tickets while interjecting Nebraska stories

Besides being in broadcasting over six decades with multiple radio stations in Omaha, he was the voice of the College World Series for 37 years and the Nebraska State Track Meet for 27 years. He was at WOW and WOW-TV for 17 years and KFAB for 22 years. During that time he was on Husker football broadcasts with Lyell Bremser and Dave Blackwell in the 1970 and '71 championship years as well as Bob Devaney's final year in 1972. A little tidbit: He started his broadcasting career at Oklahoma where he broadcast OU games in 1946 and 1947.

Jack Payne with Bob Newton
Jack with former Husker Bob Newton

Jack served in the military in World War II and was honored at the Nebraska-Ohio State game last November.

I interviewed Jack in April of 2015 and took video of him describing his many awards and photos of his career. Here is that link.

Most of all, Jack was a family man and cared for his wife with dementia until her passing a few years ago. This has been a tough article to write and I may add to it when my vision improves.

Jack Payne with daughter Karen Shaw
Jack with daughter Karen Shaw at the check in table for the Nebraska Classic

Maybe the city of Omaha will consider naming a street after Jack as fellow broadcaster Kent Pavelka recommended last year.

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David Max
DAVID MAX

David Max has been a Husker fan since Bob Devaney's first year in 1962. Season tickets have been in the family since the south end zone was built in 1964. He started HuskerMax with Joe Hudson in September of 1999. David published a book titled 50 Years of Husker Memories in 2012. Most of his articles will be from a historical perspective. You can reach David at bigredmax@yahoo.com.

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