Danny Dale Payton

Danny Dale Payton, 66, of Wichita Falls, Texas, passed away Thursday, February 14, 2013 in Wichita Falls. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Agape Church, 5600 Old Burkburnett Road, Wichita Falls, with pastors Daniel and Paula Burt officiating. Burial will be in the Old Electra Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2013, at Dutton Funeral Home, 300 East Cash Street in Iowa Park, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Danny’s nephews David Foster, Daniel Thigpen, Christopher McLain, Jeremy McLain, Bradley Pennartz and Anthony Pennartz.

Danny was born October 16, 1946, in Electra, Texas, to Leonard Richard “Bill” and Mary Louis Sefcik Payton. He married Barbara Lynne Belknap on February 11, 1973, in Wichita Falls. They have two children, Jason Dale, 27, and Kelly Lynne, 20. They were foster parents for 18 years and took care of over 50 children. They have been faithful members of Agape Church for the last 25 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Danny was a Vietnam Veteran. He served his country from 1968-1969. He loved God and his country. He enjoyed helping his friends and working at the church, especially maintaining the church grounds.

He was raised on the family farm and worked on the farm with his dad until getting married. He worked for CertainTeed in Wichita Falls for 14 years. He retired from CertainTeed after developing disabilities related to his feet and legs. He also suffered from diabetes and arthritis, but never let his disabilities hold him down and always had a positive attitude. His son, Jason, called him “Timex” because “he takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.” He was loved by the staff at the Veteran’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Windmill Rehabilitation in Wichita Falls.

Lynne often called Danny the “Original Game Boy,” due to his love of playing table games like Wa-Hoo, Zonk, checkers, dominos, 42 and Sequence. He especially loved playing games with his family, especially his sisters. He looked forward to holidays and family get-togethers. He also enjoyed bowling, golf and tennis. After he became disabled, he played the same games on the Wii and enjoyed them just as much. Lynne has always described Danny as “my sweetheart…always has been…always will be.”

His family includes wife, Lynne, son, Jason and daughter, Kelly of Wichita Falls, sister Karon McLain and husband, Gerald of Vernon, Texas, brother, Gerald Payton and wife Tresia of Amarillo, Texas, and sister, Teresa Pennartz and husband, Jerry of Harrold, Texas, and two nieces, seven nephews and 15 grand-nieces and nephews.