Thomas Benjamin Payne Jr.

Thomas was born on October 5, 1940, in Kilgore, Texas to Thomas Benjamin Payne Sr. and Joy Ramsey Payne and went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 3, 2025, in Gilmer, Texas.

Tom proudly served our country in the United States Army as one of the 1st LRRP Teams in the Vietnam Conflict. He worked for many years in the construction industry before his retirement. Tom loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and spent many hours sharing with others about Him. His other passion was that of gardening, spending hours nurturing his gardens into beautiful flowers and plants.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children; Wendy McManigal, Thomas Benjamin Payne III (wife Rhonda Payne); his grandchildren Sara Hendrickson (husband Matt Hendrickson), Thomas Benjamin Payne IV (wife Desirea Payne), Ivena Chavez and Grace Chavez; his great grandchildren Violet and Calvin Hendrickson, Sage Payne and Thomas Benjamin Payne V, as well as his nieces Debbie Glenn, Gina Cusma, and Dianna Van Zandt. He will be missed by many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Tillia Elaine Van Zandt.

Graveside services for Thomas Benjamin Payne Jr., 85, of Gilmer, Texas will be held at 1:00pm, Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of McWhorter Funeral Home.

Please visit Thomas' online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.