Calvin Riley Payne III

Calvin Riley "Boots" Payne III died Wednesday evening, May 29, 2013, during his 78th year. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary at University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Drive, with the Rev. Larry A. Thomas, senior pastor of the church, and the Rev. Ellen Lewis officiating. Family and friends will be received in the church's Gallery immediately following the service. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Project 44, 8309 O'Hara Lane, Fort Worth, Texas, 76123, www.project-44.org; R.L. Paschal High School; Cook Children's Hospital or to a charity of choice, in his memory, is suggested. Born in Fort Worth on Jan. 12, 1935, Boots was the son of Margaret and Calvin R. Payne Jr. On Feb. 13, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Beverly Snow. Boots graduated from R.L. Paschal High School in 1954 where he was captain of the district champion football team. He received a full football scholarship as a running back to Texas Christian University, which he attended until an injury shortened his collegiate career. Following college, Boots began a long, successful run in the restaurant business. In the 1960s and '70s he owned, operated and participated in restaurant ventures throughout Texas, including Zuider Zee in San Antonio, and Captain's Galley and Bigham's Smokehouse in Lubbock. His love for the barbecue business came through a close relationship with his friend and legendary pit master, Walter Jetton, who catered to U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson over the course of his political career. In 1983, Boots opened the doors to his first Cousin's restaurant on McCart Avenue in Fort Worth. He oversaw the subsequent 30- year expansion of the family-owned and operated venture, which currently includes six Cousin's Bar-B-Q restaurants, a thriving catering operation, and a commissary. In 1990, Boots expanded his brand of hearty fare and Texas hospitality internationally after Euro-Disney selected Cousin's as the "best representation of real, authentic American barbecue" and hired Boots to open Texas Bar-B-Q concepts in the European theme park. He was proud to have had the opportunity to serve both 41st and 43rd U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and their family on several occasions and enjoyed the recognition when, in 2008 and 2013, Texas Monthly named Cousin's Bar-B-Q one of the "Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas." The passion for Boots' barbecue was only exceeded by the love people felt for the man himself. He exuded a positive happiness that drew people to him like a magnet. His smile was infectious; his work ethic inspirational. He was both a dynamic storyteller and an intent listener. As a family member recently said of Boots, "He had a grace through conversation - and he had God's favor in return." Boots elevated and inspired all those that came within his ambit. He genuinely loved the people in his life - his family, his friends, his employees, his customers, his teammates -with his Texas-sized heart. And a piece of him shall live on in all of them. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Zayne Ann Payne White and her husband, Robert. Survivors: In addition to his wife, Beverly, Boots is survived by his children, Corby Payne Crittenden and Steve, Clifton Payne and Regina, Mark Payne, Jeffrey Payne and Laura and Craig Payne and Deidre; grandchildren, Shannon, Candice, Jonathan, Maggie, Brian, Jordan, Rhett, Alex, Claire, Katie, Christian, Hope, Cooper and Greyson; great-grandchild, Hayden; brothers and sisters and their spouses, Betty Watson and Robert, Susan Sprinkle and James, Roger Payne and Sandra, and Wally Payne and Ann; and nieces and nephews and their families.