Thomas James Payne Sr's Obituary
Thomas James Payne, Sr., 78, of Lakeland passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2013. Mr. Payne was born January 7, 1935 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He served in the US Navy for over 18 years during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was highly decorated, receiving 5 purple hearts, 3 bronze stars and a silver star. His service included being one of the first to be selected to serve with SEAL team 1 in 1963 becoming a frogman and serving on the UDT as well as being a master parachutist. After serving his country he became a sales representative traveling the east coast building store displays. He had lived in Lady Lake and then Dade City before moving to Lakeland in the late 1980’s. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include his daughter, Cindy (Mike) Chambers; sons, Jeff Bennett and Rick Bennett; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters; 2 brothers; 8 nephews and 4 nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, last year; a son, Thomas, Jr. in 2006; 2 stepdaughters and 4 stepsons. Tom’s family will celebrate his life 5:00pm, Tuesday, October 1, 2013, in the Banks/Page-Theus Chapel. Inurnment will be in the Shiloh Cemetery, Fruitland Park.
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