David Merrill Bayne, 66, of Lincoln Nebraska passed away Saturday September 16, 2017 at home surrounded by his family. He was born August 12, 1951 to Merrill and Helen Bayne in Broken Bow NE. His early years were mainly in western Nebraska in the towns of Broken Bow, Maxwell, North Platte, Ogallala and Sutherland. In 6th grade the family moved to Lincoln, and his junior year of high school Ashland. He graduated early from high school through night school. From those early years of school, he has remained in touch with several friends and has cherished those friendships.
On August 26, 1989 David married Terri Murray at an outside wedding in Hazel Abel park, in Lincoln Nebraska. His children Ben, Mike and Carney stood up for them. Later after losing 3 children, they were blessed with a son, Joe. David dearly loved all his children, and was especially thrilled when the grandchildren came along. Each one held a special place in his heart. You often heard him relating to other grandparents that this was “the best thing in life.” David loved children, he said “babies were a gift from God.” He was often referred to as the “baby whisperer”, he knew how to soothe and comfort any baby with his gentle and calm demeanor.
David loved the water, sea and ocean. If he could have lived on a boat he would have been perfectly happy. He had a ski boat in the early years, some days skiing for 6-8 hours. Later he acquired a sail boat. He and his friend Darrell McGhyghy would race each other. Darrell left for heaven a couple of years ago so I am sure they are still racing. Lastly, we had a jet ski, it wasn’t quite the same but it got him on the water. If a vacation entailed water or the ocean he was ready to go, and he would happily eat seafood any and every day if he could.
David worked at Good Year Tire and Rubber for 33 years. Working in the factory was the responsible thing to do as an adult. It paid the bills. He always wanted to go back to school and apply himself in the building industry. But he never found the time to pursue that career. Instead he established a second career as Realtor. If he couldn’t build them, he would sell them. He continued to work nights at Good Year as he developed his real estate career. David maintained a lot of close personal friends at Good Year that sought his help for their real estate needs. Soon he was the go to person for buying or selling, or even asking advice. Did he get everyone’s business, no, but he did gain their trust and respect. Eventually friends were calling him to sell a first-time house to their children. To him it was an honor and privilege. At the age of 55 he decided to retire from Good Year and be a Realtor full time. In 2008, the foreclosure market was at its peak. It was bittersweet for him, especially when he had to tell people the bank had taken over their home and they had to move quickly. David sold hundreds of homes during his real estate career, it gave him pleasure helping people find the right home for them. Many of his clients have since become life-long friends. David also enjoyed working with the other agents, especially the new ones. He never looked at them as the competition; he encouraged them to succeed and do well. He was given the agents choice award, which to him was the highest honor. He took off one year in 1989 and became a loan officer with Margaretten, but his true passion was selling the houses, and he went back. Up until the last week of his life he was still doing open houses.
David has been a member of the LincOne Credit Union for over 43 years. He strongly felt that it was the best for banking. He was on the credit committee for several years, attending conferences, training and seminars for furthering education.
Growing up in the Berean Church, David and his family were one of 12 families that originally met in the basement of the YMCA. Over 25 years ago David and Terri became members of Messiah Lutheran Church. They enjoyed getting to know so many people through small fellowship groups. He was a member of a Men’s Bible Study group on Saturday mornings. When he was unable to attend they would always remind him they would keep his chair open and ready when he could come. He also worked with a group called Parents of Prodigals, for parents that were struggling with their children. Little did he know one day all these people would be praying for him. He always appreciated that love and prayers from his church community.
At 59 David was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis. MM is the rarest of the 3 blood cancers, this cancer forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies, that recognize and attack germs. The rare Amyloid disease, is an abnormal protein that is usually produced in your bone marrow and then deposited in tissue and organs, which caused his congestive heart failure. During his 7-year battle with these cancers, David went through 4 different chemo’s, a stem cell transplant, several blood clots, and extensive fatigue and weakness. He looked at cancer as an opportunity to meet people and to minister to some of them. On more than one occasion I saw him comfort someone new to the cancer world that was scared and struggling. Through our different support groups, we made wonderful friendships. He loved his doctors, and I knew they wanted only the best outcome for him. Many a tear was shed. But through it all those who knew David couldn’t help but recognize in him the fruit of the Holy Spirt: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you asked, “How are you doing?”, he always replied “fine, how are you?”. He always wanted to know about you, and he made you feel special.
After years of watching David’s body be ravaged by cancer, we are all comforted by the words of 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 “We know that our body-the tent we live in here on earth-will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever. 2. But now we groan in this tent. We want God to give us our heavenly home, 3. Because it will clothe us so we will not be naked. 4. While we live in this body, we have burdens, and we groan. We do not want to be naked, but we want to be clothed with our heavenly home. Then this body that dies will be fully covered with life. 5. This is what God made us for, and has given us the Spirit to be a guarantee for this new life. 6. So we always have courage. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord. 7. We live by what we believe, not by what we can see. 8. So I say that we have courage. We really want to be away from this body and be at home with the Lord.
Family members include his wife, Terri; Sons, Benjamin (Eden) Bayne, Michael (Leonna) Bayne, and Joseph Bayne; daughter, Carney (Sam Pasedu) Funnah; Jamil, Zainab, Michaela, Grace, and Griffin; sisters-in-law, Lorry (Larry) Warboys, Lynn (Doug) Smith, and Danni (Troy) Brennan; parents-in-law Dan and Pat Murray; brothers, Dan (Kathy) Bayne, Steve (Cindy), and Tim Bayne (Marjorie Olivo); along with many nephews and nieces.
Preceded in death by his father Merrill Bayne, his mother Helen Eloe, and stepfather Edwin Eloe.
Services will be Saturday September 30th at 11:00 am. Messiah Lutheran Church. 1800 S 84th.
Family visitation will be Thursday September 28th from 6-8. No viewing, Cremation.
Memorials may be given to family, Messiah Lutheran Church or Cancer. A memorial fund has been established at LincOne Federal Credit Union, 4638 W St. Lincoln, NE 68503