What would you like people to know about Kirk Butler?

I meet Kirk when we worked together guiding at Chama Land and Cattle and over time we became good friends. Kirk was an outstanding guide and outdoorsman but more than that he was a great person. His story telling ability was epic, he would have everyone roaring with laughter while he shared an adventure. I will miss that. Kirk was also generous and kind and always ready to help out. I remember on an elk hunt many years ago. Kirk’s hunter shot an elk in a nasty, blowdown, steep, shit-tangle. My hunter and I were pretty close so I went over to see if Kirk needed help and I notice that one of Kirk’s boots was unlaced. I asked why he had his boot unlaced and said he had gout. I was so stupid, I didn’t know what gout was. Our hunters were older and stayed at the truck while Kirk and I went and packed that elk out. It wasn’t until a few years later, when I got gout that I realized just how tuff Kirk Payne was. I couldn’t walk for a week. Kirk was double tuff. RIP Kirk

Kirk was an outstanding human being. Growing up in Oklahoma, most of my memories of my younger cousin were from the summers I spent in Bloomfield visiting our Grandma. I have a vivid memory of 8 year old Kirk running around in a coonskin hat singing, “Danial Boone was a man, he was a big man!” Well Kirk Payne was a “Big Man” in every way that counts. My sincere condolences to my family, Uncle Bob, Cheryll, Sunni, Lindy and Lacey, Dal and Debbie and Dana. I love you all.

To the Family of Kirk: We are so sorry for your loss, we send our condolences and prayers, we know what a pivotal person he was to your family. Please know we admire your family and we hope that the memories of Kirk sustain you thorough your healing.

Kirk was my very first “best” friend. He was so little in one of my special memories. He had a horse named Greycloud, and uncle Sonny had a horse named Tony. Kirk’s little legs stuck straight out in the saddle, I was supposed to keep an eye on him. Tony bolted, and Kirk started yelling at me, stop this crazy horse. Not one time did he panic. As we became teenagers, we traveled and Rodeo’d all over the state together. He made me so proud in every aspect of his life. , and I’m so proud to be his cousin. I will miss him and his stories beyond words. I love all of you so very much!