Buck Payne

On Monday, February 26, 2024, my beloved son Buck Payne, father to Garrett and Emili, passed at the age of 48. He was called home after fighting a two-year courageous battle while waiting on a liver transplant, he saw numerous severe setbacks but always pulled through. His faith in God, Family and the Power of Prayer never wavered and got him through the battle he faced and was ready when the lord called him home. 

Buck was born on March 9, 1975 in Austin, TX to Ronny William and Elizabeth Ann (Clifton) Payne.  Six weeks later Ronny, Ann and Buck moved to Midland, TX and then later to Odessa, TX.   Buck was a graduate of Permian High class of 93 and received a B.B.A Business Management Degree from UTPB in 2004.

As a skinny kid growing up, after graduating high school, Buck turned to weight lifting, you couldn’t call him skinny after that. He loved racket ball enjoyed playing with his buddies and entering tournaments.   

One thing that you may not know about Buck is that he was an avid history buff. He was amazed at how little our kids know about history, and was always glad to jump in and help out when they didn’t have their facts straight. He enjoyed visiting museums, old historic towns and other historic sites including scouting out ghost towns and haunted hotels.

Growing up Buck really wanted to be a professional skate boarder. Much to his dad’s sigh of relief he gave that idea up. After graduating high school, he did work for his dad for a while in the family business, Basin Machine Tool and Supply. He then ventured out and worked outside sales in the wire rope industry and was damn good at it. He loved selling wire rope. 

Buck loved and cared deeply for his family and all his friends. 

Buck loved his children with all his heart and was so proud of them and their accomplishments. One of his proudest moments was when Garrett graduated from the police academy and became a Midland County Sheriff’s Deputy. He treasured whatever time he had with his children (Garrett and Emili) which was not near enough and suffered deeply when he was kept from seeing them. 

There was never a dull moment with Buck and he was never at a loss for words, he had a quick wit and compassionate spirit. 

Buck is preceded in death by his father, Ronny Payne; his paternal grandparents, Buck and Audrey Payne; and his maternal grandparents, Jean Warren and Jake Clifton.  

He is survived by his mom, Ann Payne; son, Garrett and Marisa (Odessa); and daughter, Emili (Midland). He is also survived by his uncle, Jeff Clifton and Laurel (Knoxville, TN); cousins, Kim and Gage (Waco, TX) Mackenzye (New Braunfels, TX).

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to:

American Liver Foundation 

c/o Jill Goordman

P.O. Box 299

West Orange, New Jersey 07052