I am creating this fundraiser for my Father, Mark Payton. My dad has worked for La-Z-Boy in Neosho for well over 20 years and has always been very prideful (and stubborn) while never asking for any help. I have not discussed this with him as I knew he wouldn't allow it. I'm sure he won't be happy with me, but sometimes you need help. (Love you dad!)

Roughly four years ago, my dad had a heart attack at his home in Neosho and had to have emergency heart surgery. At that time, he recieved 7 stints. He thought his health was on the up and up until it wasn't.

He recently started having random, faint flutters in his chest while at work, home, or visiting family. After visiting my brother, Levi, in Jefferson City, the flutters started getting more frequent and strong just walking up a small incline. He finally was able to see his regular physician followed up by his cardiologist. This led to him having to wear a heart monitor for two weeks. After the cardiologist got my dad's test results back, he wanted my dad to be admitted at Freeman West over night to run tests such as EKG, Stress Test, and X-Ray. Nothing was discovered at that point other than a high heart rate and blood pressure which is very normal for my dad. He was sent home the next day. Roughly 2 weeks later, my dad's cardiologist ordered him to wear a heart monitor for another 2 weeks. After recieving the same results as the first test, the cardiologist decided he needed to perform a procedure where they run a catheter through an artery in his arm in order to scope his heart for blockage. The cardiologist at Freeman West informed my dad Thursday that my dad has 80% blockage on the top left and top right of his heart along with 70% blockage on the whole bottom left side of his heart.

The cardiologist at Freeman West referred my dad to a surgeon in Tulsa and stated he will have to undergo open heart surgery. After a consultation today with the surgeon in Tulsa, my dad has discovered that he has 80% blockage on the top right side of his heart, 70% blockage on the whole bottom left side of his heart, and 90% blockage on the top left side of his heart along with a widow maker. He was just made aware that he will have to have a triple bypass open heart surgery Tuesday the 16th in Tulsa. He will remain in the hospital for approximately 7 days with after care at home when he is released.

As of last Thursday, he has not been released to return to work and will be out of work for at least two months following his surgery.

My dad is not one to ever ask for help but he is going to need it so I am doing it for him. I have set up a savings account at Arvest Bank that all donations will be deposited in. My dad will recieve 100% of all donations that will go directly to living expenses, medical bills and necessities while he is out of work during this time.

Please feel free to contact me privately if you have any questions or want to make a private donation to him. If you are unable to donate, you can still help by sharing this link.

I will keep this updated as soon as I know more. If I need to increase the amount, I can do that also.

More than anything, I would like to ask for all of my dad's friends and co-workers to add him to a prayer chain.

I would like to thank you all in advance for every donation, meal and prayer for my dad. I love him dearly!

Dad, if you'll be my rock, I'll be yours. ❤️