Jerry Parnell Payne

Jerry was born on April 21, 1942 in Bangor, Maine to the late Guy Cullen and Ora Laverne Parnell Payne. Just a few short months after Jerry was born, his father passed away during WWII from his plane being shot down over the Gulf of Mexico.

Jerry was raised in Bossier City by his mother and bonus father, Ora and Paul Thie. He attended Bossier Elementary and Bossier High School where he started the band, "Class Cutters", who played at various locations and events in our local area. Jerry then lettered four years in tennis at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, where he majored in Business Administration and Political Science. Following College Jerry served this grateful nation by enlisting in the United States Air Force and finishing his Military career in the Reserves.

Jerry was preceded in passing by his father, mother, bonus father, and his first wife of forty-two years, Cheryl Holt Payne.

Left to cherish Jerry's wonderful memories are his wife, Madonna Bigelow Payne, son, Stephen Todd Payne, brother, G. Ron Payne and wife Mary, three bonus children, Dennis Johnson and wife Christy, Monica Shoemaker and husband Rick, Mark Johnson and wife Jody, many nephews, nieces, extended family and a host of wonderful friends.

Jerry was active in politics since the 8th grade when he served as Buddy Roemer's campaign manager for class president at Bossier High. He later joined Buddy again at Innovative Data Systems and the famous round table discussions. His other jobs included Director of Marketing for SouthTrust Bank in Birmingham, Alabama; Marketing for Ross Perot at Electronic Data Systems in Amarillo, Texas; Director of Marketing for Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana; and Owner/Manager of Jerry Payne Advertising in Shreveport for over seventeen years.

Jerry also managed election campaigns on most levels of politics including, but not limited to, congressional, state senate and representative, mayoral, circuit court of appeal, district and city judge, tax assessors, clerks of court, marshals, sheriffs, city council, school board, and police jury. He won most of his elections, whether Democrat or Republican parties.

The Jaycees became a big part of Jerry's life and he spent a number of years involved, winning many honors and traveling all over the state. He was President of Bossier Parish Jaycees, named 1977 Outstanding Young Man of Bossier Parish, and was one of three men named as Outstanding Young Man for Louisiana State Jaycees. Don Jones, President of US Jaycees, credits Jerry for getting him elected, and Jerry was one of eight political advisors for the US Jaycees organization.

A visitation for Jerry will be held Monday, March 11, 2024 from 9:00 AM until time for Jerry's Celebration at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037.

Interment will immediately follow on the grounds of Hill Crest Memorial Park, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037.