Payton Edward Reynolds

Payton was born on March 12, 1942 in Nueces County, Texas, to Lillian Wolbrecht and John Edward Reynolds and raised by Lillian and Carroll Morris, his stepfather, after his biological passed away when Payton was still a young child. He attended college at Lamar Tech and then enlisted in the Army where he spent three years in Germany. After returning home from Germany, he went to work for Hewlett Packard where he worked as a systems analyst until he retired approximately 30 years later. He served his community as a Bulverde volunteer fire fighter before relocating back to San Antonio. Payton had several interests during his life. He perfected his love for wood-working and combined that with his love of folk music and that combination won the grand prize at the Comal County Fair when he submitted a banjo he had made. He also built furniture, planters, various decorative pieces including very intricate crosses, and wooden puzzles that he donated to hospitals and child care facilities. He was very gifted with paying attention to the details which is probably why stained glass was easy to master. He completed several beautiful pieces that were requested by others. Whether it was a smaller piece or glass for entry doors, they were all truly pieces of art. Another hobby that he absolutely enjoyed was scuba diving. He trained and certified several people as he was a dive master. Lapidary and photography were other hobbies he enjoyed. Payton also had 2 children with his first spouse, daughter, Cheryl Reynolds and son, Brian Reynolds. On January 3, 1981, he married Doris Achterberg Barrows and they remained together for 40 years until he took his last breath.

Payton was preceded in death by his father John, his mother Lillian, stepfather Carrol, father-in-law Leslie Achterberg, and fur babies Winnie, Penny and Maggie. He is survived by his wife Doris, his children Cheryl and Gerald Kohlenberg, Brian and Stacy Reynolds, stepdaughter Michele and George Vigue, grandsons Gavin and Conner Kohlenberg and step grandsons Eban and Gage Moss, sister Jennifer and Al Williamson, brother Tommy and Debra Morris, and sister Vickie and Jimmy Tuscano, a special cousin and friend Ray Wolbrecht who nicknamed him Beep, and several more nieces and nephews. Surviving in-laws include mother-in-law Whilma Achterberg, brothers-in-law Jerry and Frieda Achterberg, Donnie and Rebecca Achterberg and Ronnie and Susan Achterberg. And friends and neighbors David and Linda.

The family will have a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to either St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Redeemer Church of Christ, 7415 Gin Road, Marion, Texas 78124-6505.