Norman Everette Payne

Norman Payne, CMSGT, USAF (Ret.), passed away on August 20, 2018 in Eden, Texas. Before his death, Norm resided with Yvette, his wife of 63 years, who survives him, at their home in San Angelo. He was 93 years old. Rosary services will be at 6:00 PM on Friday, August 24, 2018 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Norm will be buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in during a private family ceremony on Saturday morning. Memorial Mass will be held for family and friends at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Holy Angels Catholic Church with lunch at the church after Mass. Norm was born March 30, 1925 in Kents Store, Virginia to Elmer and Margaret Payne. Raised with his seven brothers and sisters on a farm during the Great Depression, Norm learned the value of hard work and stretching resources. At an early age, Norm lost his father to an accident and left home as a teenager with only a sixth-grade education. During that time, he was, no doubt, developing his characteristic self-reliance, resourcefulness, stubbornness, determination and discipline-traits that would serve him well during his life-and a certain rowdiness that would endear him to some and sometimes irk others. Still a teenager, Norm joined the U.S. Merchant Marine and sailed the world's oceans aboard cargo ships delivering vital supplies and war materials for combat operations during WWII. After the war, he returned to Virginia to try his hand again at farming. Then, in 1948, Norm enlisted in the newly-created U.S. Air Force. In the Air Force, Norm earned the equivalent of a high-school diploma and was trained in electronics. He went on to work in communications and USAF Security Services throughout a 28-year career during which he served with distinction and rose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Stationed at Loring AFB, Maine in 1955, Norm met Yvette Castonguay. They married and embarked on a life that included four children and postings to such places as Alaska, Turkey, Okinawa, Taiwan and several states in the continental U.S. Norm continued his education, earning college credits from universities by correspondence and later attending Angelo State University. No matter where posted, Norm pursued his passions for hunting, fishing and running. Norm retired from the Air Force in 1976 having settled with his family in San Angelo after transferring to Goodfellow AFB in 1971. He and Yvette are longtime members of the parish at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Retirement gave Norm the opportunity to pursue his passions while continuing to rise early and work hard. He continued to hunt and fish for a time and was a runner into his 70's. In retirement, he found his most enduring passions; woodworking and planting and cultivating trees, shrubs and grass at the family home. Norm's innate curiosity drove him to educate himself about construction, woodworking, and horticulture. In true Norm fashion, he borrowed books from the library, bought others, and sought advice from those who knew how to do what he wanted to do. Project after project followed. He practically rebuilt the family home; built a workshop and storage buildings; and built implements to help him do his myriad jobs. He built tables, desks, chairs, cabinets, doors-each its own masterpiece of craftmanship and function. Those pieces grace the home he leaves behind as well as the homes of his family. After becoming interested in the luthier's craft, Norm even built a classical guitar. Each project began with self-education and each was completed by Norm as draftsman, contractor, laborer, craftsman. Norm loved to plant things, care for them, and watch them grow. His trees, shrubs and grass were a wonder and a source of pleasure and pride for him. Those living things survive him. While busily building, growing and tending, Norm also volunteered his time. He delivered Meals for the Elderly for many years and worked at the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank. Through age and infirmity, Norm remained curious and determined to pursue his interests. Shortly before turning 90, he learned how to use a computer. In his 90's, he bought and learned to use an iPad. He used his newfound skills to enter new portals of knowledge concerning history and religion, both of which greatly interested him, and to forge a special relationship with Amazon.com. He was an ardent admirer of Pope Francis, loved the Lord, and read from the Bible virtually every day. Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Margaret Payne, and his seven brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Yvette Payne, of the home; son, Craig Payne of Needville; son, Don Payne and daughter-in-law, Jody White of San Angelo; daughter, Lynette Fanguy and son-in-law, George Fanguy of Austin; daughter, Sandy Carver and son-in-law, Paul Carver of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; grandchildren, Rachel Fanguy, Ryan Fanguy, Dylan Carver, Gabrielle Carver, and Sarah Alam; and two great-grandchildren. Norm was one of a kind. He was loved. He is missed. Norm's family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to those who provided and assisted in his care at Concho Health and Rehab Center in Eden, Texas and Shannon Clinic and Shannon Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Meals for the Elderly.