Payne Lorenzo Chapa

Payne Lorenzo Chapa, age 24, of Bulverde, Texas passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at his home on the Island of Guam, where he was in active duty service to his country as a member of the US Navy Submarine Fleet. Payne was born on July 14, 2000 in Irving, Texas. He was the eldest child and son to Daniel Sr. and Natasha Chapa, and was baptized into the body of Christ on September 17, 2000 at Messiah Lutheran Church LCMS in Keller, TX.

Payne attended Messiah Lutheran Classical Academy from Kindergarten – 8th Grade and Keller High School from 9th – 12th Grades, where he was a member of the German Club, in which he served as President, and the Youth and Government Club, which afforded him the opportunity to speak in front of fellow students at the Texas State Capitol.

He enlisted in the United States Navy immediately upon graduation, and left for basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes on August 13, 2018 electing to enter the Submarine Force. He completed Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) in Groton, CT, in 2019, whereupon completion he was assigned to the USS Montpelier (SSN-765), a Los Angeles class submarine, stationed first out of Groton, and then out of Norfolk, VA. He participated in multiple underways, and was deployed to Souda Bay, Crete, Greece. Following his initial commitment, he re-enlisted in 2023, and while waiting for his next duty station, he served briefly aboard USS Helena (SSN-725), a Los Angeles-class submarine stationed in Norfolk, VA. In 2024, he was assigned to Naval Base Guam, where he served aboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39), a US Navy submarine tender. He was subsequently deployed to Australia, Palau, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. Payne was a Radio Man (RM), Petty Officer, Second Class (ES) – Submarine Service (SS) and recipient of a Navy Marksmanship Pistol Award, Navy Marksmanship Rifle Award, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, Global War on Terror Service Medal, National Defense Medal, x2 Good Conduct Medal, x2 Navy Achievement Medal, Submarine Warfare Insignia “Dolphins” – Silver Device, and a proud member of the Green Mountain Boys. He received multiple letters of commendation for exemplary service, and was qualified as Chief of the Watch.

Payne was an avid reader with a deep knowledge of history, geography, philosophy, politics, world religions, literature, biology, culture, art, architecture and music. His hobbies included playing guitar, computer games, cooking, exotic foods, gardening, drawing, and sculpting in stone. He loved museums and historical sites, and enjoyed travel immensely. In addition to the many states and countries he visited during his military career, he traveled to Germany as a high school senior, proudly connecting with that part of his heritage. His Hispanic lineage from his Chapa side was extremely important to him, and he expressed a particular affection for his grandfather’s brothers on that side of the family.

Payne was beloved by friends and family, and he is remembered for his intelligence, kindness and humility, seeking neither status nor money, but rather the pursuit of truth and authenticity. He is survived by his father Daniel Sr., mother Natasha, sister Madison, and brothers Daniel Jr. and Kinsler, his great grandmother Beverly Fobare, grandparents Cynthia Chapa, Rick and Lucy Byno, Brenda Smith, his tias Raquel and Carmen Chapa, his uncle and aunt Richard and Laura Byno, and his first cousins Alexis Chapa, Taylor Anderson, Isaac Chapa, Braelyn Byno, Brynley Byno, Elliot Byno and River Byno. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers George Chapa and George Smith.