Thomas Neal Payne, 70, formerly of Vernon, Texas, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. Services will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Wilbarger Street Church of Christ under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home. Officiating will be Tom's long-time friend Dale Stone. Following the service will be a celebration and storytelling in the Fel l o wship Room. Graveside services will follow at 4 p.m. at Eastview Cemetery in Verno n .

Tom was born on August 3, 1952, in Seminole, Texas. He was the son of the late Eugene and Louise Smith Payne. He graduated from Vernon High School in 1970 and attended Lubbock Christian College, Midwestern State University, and Texas Tech University. He married Judy Newth on March 25, 1972, in Vernon, Texas. He was a cowboy and a salesman. He sold feed; he sold insurance; and he sold cars. Tom never met a stranger. He was a Wilbarger County 4-H Leader and especially enjoyed coaching horse judging teams and helping with playdays and horse shows. He was recognized as a 4-H Distinguished Leader in District 3. He was a member of the Wilbarger Street Church of Christ in Vernon, and most recently, he was a member of the Idalou Church of Christ.

Tom is survived by his wife, Judy Payne of Idalou, TX. His children, Calley Runnels and husband, Jory, of Kress, TX, Cory Edwards and husband, Billy, of Idalou, TX, and T.J. Payne of Vernon, TX; eight grandchildren, Brandon Edwards, Cutter Runnels, Bax Edwards, Brynlee Edwards, Tripp Runnels, Brix Edwards, Tynslie Payne, and Thatcher Payne; his sister, Lisa Hancock of Amarillo, TX; his brother-in-law, David Newth of Lubbock; his nephew, Colby Dill of Canton, Michigan, his niece, Ashley Newth of Charlotte, North Carolina, and several Payne and Smith cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Nedra Payne Dill, his in-laws, Jack Newth, Marilyn Newth Wilson and R.D. Wilson, and his brother-in-law, Mike Hancock.

His grandsons will serve as pallbearers, Brandon Edwards, Cutter Runnels, Bax Edwards, Tripp Runnels, Brix Edwards, and Thatcher Payne, and nephew, Colby Dill.

Memorials can be made to Idalou Church of Christ, Wilbarger St. Church of Christ, or Children's Home of Lubbock