Ralph A. Payne

On June 27, 2017, Ralph Allen Payne, 83, a lifelong resident of Victoria County, Texas, died peacefully at home on the ranch he dearly loved, surrounded by his family. Ralph was born October 5, 1933, to Berford Barnes Payne and Frieda Caroline Huber Payne. He married the love of his life, Wanda Lou Hoad Payne, in 1953, and cherished her for 62 years until her death in 2015. Ralph worked as a heavy equipment operator for Trunkline Gas Company for 37 years until his retirement in 1988. He loved ranching, hunting, fishing, and traveling to the Rocky Mountains. All who knew him were blessed by his sense of humor, practical jokes, grateful heart, and delicious barbecue.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Frieda Marie Payne Driskill, of Dale, Texas, his daughter, Roxana Lee Payne Lecocke (Carl) of Corpus Christi, Texas, his son, Mark Allen Payne (Marsha) of Victoria, Texas; grandchildren Joseph Allen Payne (Andria), Bonnie Diane Payne, and Robert Anthony Lecocke; and great-grandchildren Tre Michael Payne, Ashton Marshall Payne, Taylor Marie Smith, and Cullen Ray Dobecka. He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, and his brother, Berford Lee Payne.

Visitation will be Monday, July 3, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Rosewood Funeral Home, 3304 E. Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, with a celebration of life to follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers are Carl Lecocke, Joseph Payne, Robert Lecocke, Tre Payne, Justin Heinold, and Jason Heinold. Honorary pallbearer is Kenneth M. Price, Ralph's dearest friend of 47 years.

The family wishes to deeply thank Ralph's devoted caregiver, Wendy Hill, and the staff at Hospice of South Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Texas.

Share memories and condolences with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com