Karon Payne went by the nickname “KP.” Based on the life he lived, KP could have meant “’Keep Pushing.” No matter how cliché it sounds, this young man was on his way to a promising future. Karon was a person of strong character who did not get caught up in street life, said his mother, Robin Payne.
“He never gave me any worries with drinking, drugs or guns. He never got in any trouble and all his teachers loved him,” said Robin.
Unlike many young men, he even liked to clean up the house.
“He was very organized,” she said. “He was a very clean person. He loved to clean,” his mother, Robin Payne shared.
Karon wanted to do something with his life, so he kept pushing with positive expectations. When he was a student, he maintained perfect attendance and graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 2011. He was looking forward to going to medical school, though his dreams would be cut short.
On Sept. 15, 2015, four days after his mother’s birthday, life changed for the entire Payne family. Karon was shot five times while sitting with a group of friends when a car pulled up near 24th and Montrose streets in South Philadelphia. Ironically, Karon had just finished his 3-to-11 shift at Presbyterian Hospital. He was transported back at 11:45 PM. He did not survive the shooting. To date, no suspects have been apprehended because only nicknames could be provided to authorities.
KP was born, January 28, 1994, and growing up in South Philly, he managed to achieve a lot in 21 years. He was an avid Kobe Bryant fan who kept himself busy playing basketball and exercising. Here was a guy who was meticulous about his appearance to the point that one of his hobbies was fashion design. He took pride in being well dressed and this was important to him since he loved women.
But he loved helping people most of all, so it was no surprise to his mother that he was working in a hospital, said his mom. “Karon was a very loving, helpful, friendly person who often tended to the needs of others, especially the elderly.”
He secured a job in the Dietary Department at Presbyterian Hospital and was so valued by his coworkers that this hard worker was awarded Employee of the Month.
KP could also have stood for “keen and perceptive” since he anticipated what might be needed in the community and extended a hand where he could. Karon often assisted his grandfather laying down a new floor. He helped elderly people in the neighborhood with their grocery bags. He would knock on their doors during the summer and ask if their air conditioners were working properly. Even back when he was 13 years old, he went through the block and shoveled the snow from their walkways in the winter.
Karon had three kids, with another on the way, and was diligent about keeping family members together. He loved his family and his fiancé. He was determined to be a strong, positive role model for his sons, Kysir (now age 12), Amid (10), and Azda (8).
KP was an early riser who frequently rode his bike from his aunt’s home to his mother’s where he greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and saying, “Mom, why you mad today? You know I love you, right?” He often called his grandmother on the phone and said, “Did anybody tell you today that they love you? If they didn’t, I love you.”
He had ardent Muslim faith and believed in a close-knit family. Still, KP was a jokester. He would make family members laugh by imitating Norbit, the nerdy, comical character brought to life by Eddie Murphy. The family will truly miss Karon’s sense of humor.
He is survived by his mother, Robin, his 2 sisters, one brother, his children and other family members and friends. Funeral services were held on Sept. 19, 2015 at Khadijah Funeral Services, 1924 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia.
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