HUGH PAYNE

11/11/1941 - 09/15/2022

Hugh “Chewy” Leonard Payne Sr. of Sugarland, Texas passed peacefully away on September 15, 2022, at the age of 80. He was born on November 12, 1941, in Houston, Texas to Hugh Leamon and Alice Lucile Payne. He attended Milby High School in 1958 and then went to on to graduate from Texas Christian University.

He grew up excelling in high school sports and was a two- time state runner up for the Milby basketball team. However, it was high school football that landed him a scholarship to TCU as a defensive end.

After college graduation, like so many other boys his age, he entered the military and went into Officer Training School in the US Army, where he later served in the Army Reserves.

After his time in the military, Hugh worked as an outside salesperson for National Airlines and was able to travel around the world. After several years, he decided to change careers and went into the construction industry and started working for National Gypsum. He then started his own drywall construction company, O. S. Interior Systems, in 1972.

He continued working at O.S.I. for almost 50 years until semi retiring at age 80. During some of this time Hugh’s dad and brother came to work with him and they enjoyed many successful years together. His two sons came to work with him in the late 90’s and Hugh enjoyed running the family business with them.

In addition to work, he loved being outside. Some of his favorite memories included deer hunting in south Texas, bear hunting in Alaska, sport fishing in Mexico, and dove hunting in Argentina.

Hugh was a life-long golfer and loved his time as a member of Sugar Creek Country Club and looked forward to his annual golfing trips with friends to Nevada.

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his two sons, Hugh Payne Jr. and his wife Jennifer, Scott Payne and his wife Fran who all live in Katy, Texas. He is survived by sister Janell Cook of Montgomery, Texas and his brother Raymond Payne of Centreville, Maryland.

In addition, Hugh leaves behind five grandchildren: Haley, Mitchell, Keaton, Holly, and Samuel.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Forest Park Westheimer on Friday, September 23, at 10:00.