Cyrus Jack Payne, DDS MS

Cyrus Jack Payne, of San Antonio, TX, born on July 20, 1928, suddenly passed away on the morning of Tuesday, April 4, 2017. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. His greatest joys were his family and his church.

Born in Sweetwater, Tennessee, Jack grew up in Dayton, Tennessee, where the famous Scopes trial was held. After graduation from high school, he joined the US Marine Corps; he credited the Corps boot camp with changing his life's direction. Jack spent a brief time with the US Army and later attended Middle Tennessee State University where he excelled in football and academics. Prior to graduation, he was offered a commission in the US Air Force for jet pilot training. After Jack completed pilot training, he was stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD where he flew a variety of aircraft including B-17's, P-51's and B-26's among others.

Jack's flights with the Air Force brought him to San Antonio. While touring downtown he found himself at the same bus stop as an old high school sweetheart from Tennessee, Sidney Margaret Potter. They were married on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1952. While on their honeymoon in Las Vegas they witnessed testing of the Atomic Bomb. He flew F-86 Saber jets in Okinawa during the Korean War.

After leaving military service, Jack enrolled in the University of Tennessee Dental School at Memphis. While there, he and Sidney welcomed their only child, Polly Payne Noble. Jack practiced general dentistry for many years in San Antonio before he and his family returned to Memphis to attend the Master of Science Orthodontic Program.

Jack always relished working and being with young people. He looked forward to Sunday mornings when he taught the high school class at MacArthur Park Church of Christ where he was a long-standing member and a deacon for many years. He and Sidney could often be found in the two-year-old class helping out.

Of all his many activities, by far the most important and dear to his heart was his church and his faith. A long-time supporter of the Medina Children's Home, Jack served for many years as a respected and valued board member. Jack was often at church helping to care for those who were in need through the Care Cottage Ministry. He led many Bible study groups, leading many souls to Christ.

Jack was an enthusiastic and die-hard University of Tennessee Volunteers fan. He truly lived the Big Orange and Power T! During football season, he could be found watching his beloved team on Rocky Top.

While maintaining an active orthodontic practice in San Antonio, Jack loved teaching and being a mentor to students at the University of TX Dental School, Houston. When the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio opened, Jack transferred to that campus to continue his teaching career. In 2000, Jack retired from his practice and devoted even more time to another of his great passions-golf. He had a very dear and close group of friends from Tennessee with whom he traveled to Scotland and annual trips to Doral in Florida.

When his grandson, Charles, was diagnosed at age nine with Type I diabetes, Jack became an ardent supporter and tireless fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Papa Jack always looked forward to the annual Walk for the Cure and spent countless hours volunteering at the JDRF offices. His support continued with Camp Sweeney, a summer camp for children with diabetes.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carter Duncan Payne and Bessie Leming Payne, siblings: Docs Ellis Payne, Erskine P. Payne, Dana Anderson Goldston and Frances Payne Hackney and his precious baby great-granddaughter, Scarlett McNeel Noe. Jack is survived by the love of his life for 65 years, Sidney Margaret, his daughter Polly and her husband, Charles H. (Hank) Noble III, granddaughter Meg Noble Noe and her husband, William Noe, grandson Charles H. Noble IV, and great-grandson William Gray Noe Jr., brothers-in-law Robert Potter and his wife, Diane, Alan Potter and his wife Xuan, along with many much-loved nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Jack may make contributions to Camp Sweeney in Gainesville, TX, or the Winston School of San Antonio.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017, 2:00pm at McArthur Park Church of Christ, 1907 N.E. Loop 410, San Antonio. A private graveside service will be held.