PAYE RONALD R

WO1 Ronald "The Old Man" R. Paye was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/01/2026 at the age of 81.8 (Exact date not known.)
Indianapolis, IN
Flight Class 71-49
Date of Birth 06/10/1944
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with E/2 BN 9 MARINES in 64, 129 AHC in 72-73
Call sign in Vietnam COBRA 34
This information was provided by Daughter Jamie & AH369

More detail on this person: Good Morning, This is one of the hardest messages for us to send when we lose someone who has touched so many lives. We got a message this morning that our dear friend, Ron Paye , passed away yesterday. I received this message this morning from Ron's daughter, Jamie. Hi. I wanted to let you and Johnny know, and you can let everyone else know, that my dad passed away. I sent cops to do a welfare check when Jan hadn't heard from him by yesterday late afternoon. They wouldn't break into his house and had me on the phone as I was driving there. I arrived 20 mins later and broke into his house myself through a kitchen window and found him passed away in his bathroom. While it appeared like he had fallen_the coroner said she thinks it was a medical event (likely a heart attack) but we don't know yet. I'm still very much sitting inside the newness of this and do not know any arrangements yet. I do know his funeral will be at Flanner & Buchanan on Kentucky Ave at some point and will send details once I know them.There is something beautiful, perfect, and poetic in me being the one to find him. There is also a little bit of trauma wrapped around that as well. Just wanted to let you all know of his passing. Please feel free to share this and to honor him in whatever way you deem fit. I fully support it. The irony is not lost on me that he passed on April Fool's Day. Nor that a UK film crew accompanied the coroner taking a TV series. It felt like the little glimmers you might expect around when things line up the way they do. Jamie is a writer and I felt it best to share this news in her words. We will let everyone know when Jamie has everything finalized. Please keep Jamie and Gavin (Ron's Grandson) in your prayers. Sincerely,, John, Kae & Alan from American Huey 369

This information was last updated 04/02/2026

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Date posted on this site: 04/18/2026