Douglas Dee Payne, our beloved, caring, kind, highly respected, fun-loving Daddy and “PaPa” was born on March 12, 1935 in Okemah, Okla. to Fred Walker and Kathryn Benita (London) Payne. He was No. 12 out of 15 children, and loved to share stories about his large family. At the age of 86, Doug entered Heaven on Aug. 3, 2021 from his home in Bryan County, Okla. 
Doug married Wanda Rebecca Serner on Feb. 22, 1958 and they were united as one for 45 years until Wanda’s death on March 27, 2003. They were blessed with three daughters and many precious grandchildren. Doug proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for eight years, as a Radio Operator, specifically for Flight and Morse Code Operations. During his military career, Doug was stationed one year in Thule Air Base – Greenland, with the 463d Communications Squadron, TAC, and spent time at bases in Mississippi, Colorado, with his final assignment at Ardmore OK Air Force Base. On June 29, 1961, Doug was Honorably Discharged and began his career as an Air Traffic Controller at the FAA Air Traffic Control Center in Euless, Texas. Doug retired August 1986 before becoming an ATC Instructor where he shared his passion for safety until the late 1990’s.
Doug was a member of Shady Oaks Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and HEB School District After School Program. Doug deeply loved his family and enjoyed coaching, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, OU football and playing a competitive game of Chicken Foot. He unashamedly lived a Christian, patriotic, and responsible life, while leading his family and others to uphold these values. 
Doug was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Payne; daughter, Linda Sue (Payne) Watson; parents, Fred and Kathryn Payne and siblings Gladys Collins, Lucille Myers, Woodrow Payne, Willa Faye Roman, Jo Deane Thomas, Warren Payne, Elreno Kinslow, Mary Neal Robinson, Bobby Payne, Jimmy Payne and Judy Wester.
Doug is survived by his daughters, Rebecca Kay Payne and Lisa Gail Pippin and husband Terry; sister, Nova Collier; brothers, Patrick Payne and wife Debbie and Larry Richard Payne and wife Jerrie; grandchildren: Shaunda Usry and husband Kyle, Brad Mitchell, Nathan Beaty and wife Jenny, Katy Watson, Michael Watson and wife Natalya and Brandon Watson; great-grandchildren, Matthew Usry and wife Allison, Tanner Davidson, Trista Davidson, Morgann Usry, Madison Usry, Ruby Rayne Mitchell, Michael Medwid, Audree Skinner, Gunner Beaty, Abbie Beaty, Pippa Watson, Wynnie Watson and Hunter Beaty – all loved by “PaPa”; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel, Durant, Okla. will be the location for the Funeral Service at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 7. Doug’s nephew, Allen Serner, will officiate. Pallbearers are Brad Mitchell, Nathan Beaty, Michael Watson, Brandon Watson, Matthew Usry, Tanner Davidson, Terry Pippin (Honorary Pallbearers: Tolly Payne, Kent Thomas, Jason Serner, and Walter Serner). Burial will take place August 12 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. 
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.