George H. Payne Sr.

George H. Payne, Sr., 86, of Gulfport, passed away on Friday, November 14. He was born in Munson, Florida on the 29th day of May, 1922. He was preceded in death by his parents, George W. and Margaret E. Payne, one sister, Bessie Carver, and seven brothers, John, Frank, Broward, Arlington, Wilson, Wilborn, and Gordon. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy J. Payne. One daughter, Cindy Childers (Larry), and five sons, George H. Payne, Jr. (Debbie), Bob Payne (Toni), Tom Payne (Diane), Greg Payne (Penny) and Payne’s oldest son from a previous marriage, Steve Barber (Janice) of Chula Vista, California. His oldest son, George, Jr. would eventually follow in his Uncle John’s footsteps serving as Gulfport Police Chief and is now retired after serving as the Harrison County Sheriff for two terms. Bob, the long time Harrison County Prosecutor, now works in that office part-time and is semi-retired. Cindy Childers owns Swetman Security Services, Inc. Tom Payne is a former U. S. Attorney who now teaches administration of justice at USM and also has a private law practice. Greg Payne works as Director of Operations for Swetman Security Services, Inc. Steve Barber is now retired from Civil Service and prior to that served in the U. S. Navy. The latest generation includes numerous members involved in law enforcement and public service. Bob Payne, Jr. is a Harrison County Patrolman for District II. Wendy Swetman, III served 14 years in law enforcement before being elected to his present position as District I Supervisor. Jeffrey Payne is a Master Sergeant with the Department of Marine Resources. Stephanie Swetman Irby and Heather Swetman Boudreaux are teachers. Brandon Payne is a Biloxi patrolman. Elizabeth Payne works in Community Relations with Gulfport Police Dept. Trey Payne is a patrolman with Gulfport. Tiffany Whitehead, Katie Hemphill, Mary Ellen Neil, and Jace Payne are students in nursing, education and community service fields. Jennifer Payne is a high school student. There are also 11 great grandchildren. George Sr. was drafted into the Army Air Corp at 19. He went from snagging cross ties in the swamps of south Florida to flying B-25 aircraft in WWII. Once, he participated in cactus high low level flight training anticipating in the invasion of Japan. During his military career, he served in Europe during peacetime and won an Air Force Commendation Medal for his leadership in the logistical move of an entire Air Wing out of France. He was retired a Major in the United States Air Force, and he was very proud of that service to his Country. After retirement, he worked with the Boy Scouts of America as a local troop committee member and volunteer. For many years he was affectionately known as “Coach Payne” by many Pony League baseball players as he coached in a sport he dearly loved. He was a member of Elks lodge #978 for over 30 years and was elected to receive the “life membership”. He was a Master Mason and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite. He invested in the lives of many young people in his community. His memory lives on through the lives of these young people and his children and grandchildren. His ethics and even batting techniques live on through those young men he coached and the countless lives he has touched over the years. One aspect of his life that he dearly loved was being a “gentleman farmer.” He raised cows, hogs and other livestock for over 50 years at his farm in Vancleave where life lessons were taught to his children. He used the farm to teach work ethics to not only his children, but any of his children’s friends that came to visit. In every aspect of his life, he proved his devotion to morals and values and passing them on to others. The funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home Chapel, 15th St.,Gulfport, where friends may visit beginning at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery with full military honors. The family prefers memorials to the Gulfport Elks Lodge # 978, 12010 Klein Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503. View and sign register at www.bradfordokeefe.com.