Fred Payne

Fred Edwin Payne, 79, of Waco passed away July 25, 2013 in Waco. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the Woodland Cemetery in Kirvin, Texas with Reverend Michael King officiating. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Friday at Blair-Stubbs Funeral home in Mexia. Fred was born November 30, 1933 in Streetman, Texas to Charlie Hallie Payne and Polly Mae Bryson. Fred attended schools in Mexia. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and traveled extensively around the world. He had tours of duty in Texas, Okinawa, Japan, Alaska and Ankara, Turkey. He attended Baylor University and later received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. He retired from the Air Force in 1972 to live in Waco. Fred worked for Goodwill Industries as a Rehabilitation Director. Later, he also was employed by Baylor University as a Police Officer. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Billie and Orville and a sister, Bobbie Walker. Mr. Payne is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doryce Payne, daughters, Patricia Payne Parker and husband, Michael of Montclair, Virginia, Jo Nell Payne Blankenship and husband, Johnny of Tyler; son, Mark Edwin Payne and wife, Melinda Bearden Payne of Kilgore; seven grandchildren, Scott Parker, Jennifer Parker Guercio, Cindy Blankenship Walker, Christy Blankenship Fowler, Brian Blankenship, Hunter Edwin Payne and Grant Payne; three great grandchildren, Conner Walker, Cayden Walker and Preston Guercio. He is further survived by five sisters, Tiny Robinson of Streetman, Jimmie Posey and husband, Bennie of Mexia, Vallie Griffin of Streetman, Nancy Yanca and husband, Chuck of Parker, Colorado and Doris Cooper and husband, Richard of Rosenberg, Texas; and one brother, Frank Payne and wife Helena of Houston. Fred is also survived by his three four legged family members, Rose, Suzy and Puddin. He truly loved pets and took excellent care of them. Fred’s passion was to ride a bicycle around Waco. He could have frequently been seen riding between Waco and Kirvin. He would also assist other bicyclists when they were having difficulty due to extreme heat. He also enjoyed growing an extensive garden, producing blackberries, watermelon, cantoloupe, squash and a wide range of other fresh vegetables.