Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts

Notes:

Known as "Molly." Her birth position uncertain, she was probably the youngest. She probably had TWO older brothers.

Ken Harvey wrote the following biography of Molly Mounts Gentry based on interviews with her daughter, Grace Ellen Gentry, grandson, Lewis Adair Payne, and other family members. He wrote that Molly was said to have been abducted by her father from his ex-wife and grandparents in West Virginia. The story that has come down is that William J. did not approve of the way they were bringing her up. He had secretly let her know that he was in the area, and she met him at a pre-arranged place. His own armed brothers, who had been on the Confederate side in the war, followed them, but William who had been a Captain on the Union side, was careful to eluded their pursuit. He let it be known that he intended going south on the Mississippi from Memphis. They, father and daughter, did just this and then they quickly backtracked going north at the first steamer wood fuel stop on the river. They arrived in Chicago, presumably by train, "as the great fire was going out"-that would have been just after 8th October 1871; when Mary was fourteen years old.

She later recalled that she had plenty of good clothes [during her three years] living with her father but she was not allowed to have a man touch her stockinged feet-this was considered inappropriate behaviour. He used to make a paper cut-out of his daughter's soles when she needed shoes. He was determined on proper behaviour. She had to walk with her arms straight down her sides and fix her gaze about twenty feet in front of her when walking in the public street.

She became engaged, at about the age of fifteen, to a young man who presented her with a large and beautiful ring. It seems highly likely that this liason had been arranged somehow by her father. One day she saw her fiance riding a horse in a park with another woman. Young Molly became very upset and went up to him. Taking it off her finger she handed the ring back to him saying that "this [marriage] is not going to work!" Her father and she left Chicago shortly afterwards.

William J. had hired a Mrs. Harris to be young Molly's live-in companion in Chicago. Mrs. Harris was a very strict and religious person who was very upset to discover her church minister playing poker with William J. one night after hours in a back room of his saloon. This saloon was somewhere to the south of Chicago. She said she was never going back to his church again. He was very amused about her outraged attitude and his surprising response to his daughter's prim adult companion was to say let us all leave the town.

They all drove off next morning and he just left his saloon business as it was when he closed it down the previous night. He used to laugh all the time about Mrs Harris' reaction to her preacher's infidelity to his supposed ideals-presumably out of her earshot.

Some time later, in the early 1870's, they all wound up in north Texas. It was presumably in Johnson Co. that young Molly set her heart on William Miller Gentry. He was six years older than her.

Molly's father, made it clear that he did not approve of her choice of Will Gentry. Was he aware of Will's probable previous marriage three years previously? He did not, however, interfere when she decided to marry him. Instead he presented the couple with a team of horses and a wagon (four wheels). William J. Mounts drove away from the wedding service in Grayson Co. having made his fairwells. He was evidently very disappointed and apparently rather angry with her choice. Angry enough for he was never to wish to see her again, nor did he.

Molly's grandfather-in-law, William Gentry, was a preacher. Mary had little time for him. It is noticable that he did not marry Molly and Will.

When they were living in Stevens Co., Oklahoma, Molly discovered that a neighbour there had once lived in Chicago. The neighbour's brother, a wealthy man, was still living in that northern city and he always wore a large diamond ring that his young fiance had returned to him when she rebuffed him. He had never married after his loss. It is not known if Molly revealed her extraordinary secret to her Oklahoma neighbour on Wildhorse Creek.

She used to tell a story about a relation of hers who had joined the army just after the Civil War. He had committed some infraction of the military rule book and was walking beside a General following an investigation into the event when he anxiously enquired of his superior, "what happens next?" The General replied, "we shoot at dawn." The comment was clearly not meant to be taken seriously, but it was. The evidently very nervous and highly impressionable young man immediately dropped dead from a severe heart attack.

1900-In the census of 1900 Molly recorded that she had had eight children of whom seven were still alive. This agrees with our list as we know Carrie had died from blood poisoning the previous year.

1930 census Stephens Co. OK King Twp., Duncan city, ED 69-4 Sheet 18B 725 8th St. ? 994/433 Gentry, Mary E., FW 73 Wd WV WV WV

The Duncan Eagle-Sept. 12, 1940 Mary E. Gentry, 84, Dead After Long Illness in Home Here Mrs. Mary Evelyn Gentry, 84, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Marvin Payne, 813 Beech Ave. Tuesday afternoon, after a lingering illness with which she been afflicted for some time. She had been living with her daughter during the greater part of her illness. Other children are Ed J. Gentry, Duncan; John W. Gentry, Alpine, Texas; Emery H. Gentry, Oklahoma City; and Mrs S. P. Hall, Great Bend, Kan. Also surviving are 31 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 this afternoon in the First Baptist church with the Rev. Frank Sutton, pastor of the Immanuel Baptist church, officiating. Burial will be in Duncan cemetery. The Beeson-Grantham Funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Mary married William Miller Gentry on 12 Jul 1872 in Grayson County, Texas. William (son of John Melton Gentry and Pamelia C Harpole) was born on 23 May 1851 in Tennessee; died on 23 Sep 1929 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her name may have been Cary Lee Gentry.

1887, 31st. Dec. - "The following is the report of Cottonwood School, No. 44, for the month ending Dec. 23, 1887 .... .... Roll of honor; ... ... Carrie Gentry ... .... " Could this have been her, she would have been twelve years old at the time?

Died in childbirth.

Carrie married Thomas Condren on 13 Feb 1896 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Thomas was born in Mar 1873 in Arkansas; died in 1909. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Gertie, as she was known, died following the birth of her sixth or seventh child. The baby girl, Louise, who survived, was not expected to live.

Marlow Review
Friday, Sept. 14, 1906
Mrs. Gertie Payne: Wife of Walter Payne of Arthur, I. T. died Tuesday morning and was laid to rest in the city cemetery Wednesday. Rev. Burgess conducted religious services. She leaves a husband and several small children. Mr. Payne is a brother of Mr. W. H. Payne of this place. The funeral was largely attended by friends and relatives from Arthur and Duncan. To all the sorrowing ones we extend our sympathy.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Permelia married Walter Winkle Payne about 1894 in Stephens County, Indian Territory. Walter (son of Thomas Hamilton Payne and Martha Jane Marshall) was born in Mar 1867 in Shelby County, Missouri; died on 26 Mar 1929 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 29 Mar 1929 in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He is listed as living with Ada his wife and their two children in Parks township, Stephens Co., in 1910. Ref: DWL 88/Family 88

He later inherited from his father and he farmed the family land east of Duncan.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Frank Melton Gentry
City: Arthur
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birth Date: 24 May 1880
Race: White
Roll: 1852128
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 38
Occupation: Farming
Nearest Relative: Ada Gentry, Arthur, Stephens Co. OK
Height/Build: Medium/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Blue/Black

Duncan Eagle, June 14, 1928, Page 7 Frank Gentry Laid to Rest County Resident for 38 Years Passed Away at Age of 48. Services Wednesday. Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon for Frank M. Gentry, who had passed away at 6 o'clock Monday evening, a victim of pneumonia. Arrangements were made by the Beeson Grantham Funeral Home, and services were held in the First Baptist Church, with Rev. Elmer Ridgeway officiating. Burial was in the Duncan Cemetery. Born in Texas on May 24, 1880, Mr. Gentry came to this section at an early age, and had resided in Stephens County for 38 years. His home was 12 1/2 miles east of Duncan. His long residence here had made him widely and favorably known throughout this section. Surviving are the widow; three sons, Rene, John and Freeland; and two daughters, Frankie and June. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Gentry, live at 721 Spruce Avenue. There are also two sisters and three brothers.

Ken Harvey related a story about Frank and his wife decided to replace all their living room furniture so he headed to town with a bale of cotton to sell. The old furniture was meanwhile presented to the neighbours. Unfortunately instead bought an Edison record player with records and put it in his wagon and took it home.

The family heard him singing as he arrived home late at night and Ada was none too pleased to discover what their money had been spent on. They now had a bare room with a phonograph. This was the old ground floor bedroom on the south side of the house.

His son Glen really enjoyed the new machine as he was a fun loving young man and liked to dance to the music played on the Edison. One of the records was "The Irish Washer Woman" and Glen was able to do a jig to that!

Franklin married Ada Carol Jones on 17 Sep 1905 in Arthur, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. Ada was born in 1880 in Texas; died on 23 Apr 1929; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Edgar Jeffery Gentry
City: Cruce
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birth Date: 26 Dec 1882
Race: White
Roll: 1852128
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 35
Occupation: Farming for self
Nearest Relative: Frances Gentry, Curce, OK
Height/Build: Medium/Medium
Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/brown

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

5 Jan 1967 THE DUNCAN EAGLE

Edgar J. Gentry, Cattleman and Ex-Teacher, Dies Edgar J. (Ed) Gentry, 802 Sycamore, cattleman and farmer in Stephens County for nearly half a century, died at his home at 2 a.m. today. Gentry, 84, had been in poor health for several months. He was born at Decatur, Tex., Dec. 26, 1882 and moved to this county as a child. Gentry was a graduate of Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Ind. He taught school at Alma as a young man. He retired a few years ago from active farming and ranching. Survivors are his wife, Frances, whom he married at Arthur in eastern Stephens County, Sept. 26, 1909; a son, W. T. Gentry, 1116 Elm; a daughter, Mrs. J. T. Callahan, 1327 Normandy Rd.; two brothers, John Gentry of Alpine, Tex., and Emory Gentry of Oklahoma City; a sister, Mrs. S. P. Hall of Pampa, Tex., and a grandson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Grantham Funeral Home chapel. The Rev. T. Hollis Epton, pastor of the First Baptist church here of which Gentry was a member, will officiate. Burial will be in the Duncan Cemetery. Bearers will be Murl Kincannon, Pat Peck, Riley Coates, Earl Lee, Roy Steigleder and Lester Allen. Honorary bearers will be L.L. Humphreys, L. L. Gatlin, Nat Gatlin, Earl Russell, Clarence Callaway, Dr. E. C. Lindley, J. F. Lewis, the Rev. W. Lowder, Roy Patton, A.S. Moore, and members of the Men's Brotherhood Class of the First Baptist Church.

Listed as living alone with Frances in the Duncan area (King township), Stephens Co., in 1910. Ref: DWL 112/Family 117

(Research):Census Information:

1930 census Stephens Co. OK East 1/2 of King Twp., ED 69-1
0 Sheet 3B 46/51 Gentry, Edgar J., MW 49 M 29 TX MS IL
Frances, wife FW 38 M 18 OK TX TX
William T., son MW 19 S OK TX OK
Mary T., dau. FW 18 S OK TX OK
John V., nephew MW 15 OK TX OK

Edgar married Sarah Frances "Fannie" Kincannon on 26 Sep 1909 in Arthur, Parks Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Sarah (daughter of Jessie Thomas Kincannon and Sidney Georgina Hart) was born on 26 Nov 1887 in Oklahoma; died in Feb 1976 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ken Harvey writes that "As a boy he always carried some string in his pocket. He had ever afterwards taken very seriously the jocular semi-critical comment, 'every boy carries a piece of string in his pocket' made by some dissapointed adult who had urgently wanted a piece for some reason. He studied in Vincinnes, Indiana and spoke Spanish. Ken also heard that when his first wife was sick, he chartered a train to take her to Oklahoma City. This doesn't seem likely from her death certificate though. They were still living in Dougherty at the time, and she died in Ardmore, Oklahoma of appendicitis that evidenced itself four days prior to her death.

WWI Draft Registration - 1918
Name: John William Gentry
City: Alpine
County: Brewster
State: Texas
Birth Date: 9 Aug 1885
Race: White
Roll: 1927370
DraftBoard: 0
Occupation: Pharmacist
Employer: Walter Garnett, Alpine, Brewster Co. TX
Nearest relative: Mrs. Julia Ann Gentry (wife)
Height/Build: Medium/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Lt. ?/ Lt. Brown

John lived in Brewster County, Texas from about 1918 until his death.


SSDI JOHN GENTRY 09 Aug 1885 Oct 1972 79830 (Alpine, Brewster, TX) (none specified) 449-09-8198 Texas

TX Death Record Gentry John W SR 10-20-1972 BREWSTER M SINGLE


Brewster Co. Cemetery book, Elm Grove Cemetery, Alpine, TX. Lot #1, Block 6-A John William Gentry August 9, 1885 October 6, 1972 Julia Zumwalt Gentry March 14, 1892 March 13, 1981 Peggy Kirby Gentry November 3, 1933 March 17, 1973 Julia Gentry Chessman May 18, 1918 July 27, 1949 Mark Sale Chessman , Infant Son, July 15 - 17, 1949

(Courtesy of Lucy Anderson Lowrie)

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 census
Grady Co. OK ED 97 Pg. 157B
Chickasha city
127/150
Temple, James A., head, MW, 59, M 34yrs., Alderman-city, MO MO KY
Carrie J., wife, FW, 52, M 34yrs., 5/4 children, IN IN IN
James W., son, MW, 25, Book keeper-Lumber yard, CO MO IN
Gentry, John W., roomer, MW, 24, S, Prescription clerk-Drug store, OK unk unk

1920 census
Brewster Co. TX
Prect. 1 Alpine Twn.
218/223
Gentry, John Head Own M W 34 M TX TN VA pharmacist - drug store
Gentry, Julia Wife F W 27 M TX TX TX
Gentry, Julia dau F W 1 S TX TX TX

John married Rena W. Bunch on 15 Jun 1911 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Rena was born on 5 Feb 1890 in Texas; died on 17 Dec 1911 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Comanche, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Julia Zumwalt between 1912 and 1917. Julia (daughter of Robert Dowling Zumwalt and Amanda Ann Floyd) was born on 14 Mar 1892 in Hallettsville, Lavaca County, Texas; died on 13 Mar 1981 in Alpine, Brewster County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Possibly lived in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas at some point. This town was sometimes referred to by Grace Ellen Gentry.

Died at 2010 Admiral Road, Stillwater, OK.

She had a strong dislike of all things Texan.

Photograph at 140 lbs (usually 125lbs) Norvelle Studio, Chickasha, Oklahoma, circa 1923. She disliked the picture as a result.

1927-She was instrumental in organizing the Payne/Gentry family reunion in 1927. The event took place at the home of Annie O'Neill's home in Duncan.

1934-On the sixth of April 1934, Mary E. Gentry, widow, sells to Grace Payne (her daughter) for one dollar and love and affection the west half of lot six (6) in block sixty-seven (67) together with all improvements thereon, in the City of Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Grace and Marvin had just lost their farm being unable to pay the mortgage. Molly continued to live for another six years but this house on 8th and Spruce Street was also lost for the same reasons. Molly continued to live with her daughter and her family until she died.

1948-Grace Payne (nee Gentry) notified "To Whom it May Concern" on the 21st of June that she, E.J. Gentry, J.W. Gentry, Pearl Hall, E.H. Gentry, Carl H. Payne, J.E. Payne, Vera Young, Virginia Hardin, Louise Birnie, Mary Ethel Jones and Jeanne Turner, all heirs of W.M. Gentry, claimed to own the mineral rights of their father's old property and intended to have the matter determined by the Court. [Payne, Grace Ellen (1948) Affidavit giving legal notice of intention to file suit in District Court of Stephens County, Oklahoma, Ref: Book 414, page 344] It is not clear who this claim was directed at. Frank and Emory had continued the farn between them. Frank had died in 1928, and John Vernon Gentry continues the connection with his grandfather's land to this day (1997).

Grace Gentry was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). She claimed membership under her grandfather, W.J. Gentry. It was actually her grandfather John Melton Gentry, whose name Grace confused, who served in the Confederate Army. Grace was determined to get into the UDC and it was known she was not going to let anything, such as her other grandfather William J. Mounts' service in the Union Army, to get in her way. An incomplete draft of her application, remaining in the family, lists her parents as William Melton (sic) Gentry (born 1851 TN, died Sept. 1829 Duncan, OK) and his wife as Mary Evelyn Mounts (born Aug 1857, Died Aug 10, 1940 Duncan, OK). She went on to list her grandfather as William John Gentry (of Darnells, TX born in TN) and his wife as Pamela Harpoole (also born in TN).

Grace married Marvin Walter Payne on 22 Jan 1907 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Marvin (son of Samuel Marshall Payne and Olivia McClanahan) was born on 17 Jan 1881 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas; died on 4 Jan 1948 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emory was issued a delayed certificate of birth. The supporting evidence was his application for employment with the Oklahoma Railway company and the birth certificate of his daughter, Ruth Hazel Gentry. The informant for his death certificate was Lillie R. Gentry of 3409 Campbell.

According to the 1928 Duncan City Directory, Emory and Lilly lived at 101 Elm Street.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Emory Howell Gentry
City: Arthur
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Oklahoma;United States of America
Birth Date: 26 May 1893
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1852128
Occupation: Farming
Next of kin: Wife and 2 children
Height/Build: Medium/Medium
Color of Eyes/Hair: Gray/Brown
(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Emory married Lillie Letticia Rowe on 22 Dec 1912 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Lillie (daughter of James Allen Taylor Rowe and Angie Cordelia Green) was born on 21 Dec 1896 in Coalgate, Coal County, Oklahoma; died on 16 Oct 1978 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Grady County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Known as Pearl. Ruth Pearl Gentry had a picture of her grandmother Pamelia Harpole. As a child she was very close to her cousin Harry Carl Payne. They were about the same age. Died at the age of 91. This needs confirmation.

Ruth married Scott Phillip Hall on 3 Jun 1918 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Scott was born on 19 Oct 1896 in McKinney, Collin County, Texas; died on 15 Nov 1976 in Pampa, Gray County, Texas; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Duncan Weekly Eagle
Duncan. Stephens County, Oklahoma
LEE WOODS, prop.; J. L. R. NAIL, editor

Thursday, January 4, 1917
MISS RUBY CONDRON of Bowie and MISS CHLOE PEAL of Denton, Texas visited Mr. and Mrs. WALTER PAYNE and family.

The Duncan Banner
Friday, May 4, 1917
Miss Ruby Lee Condron died at Oklahoma City Thursday, April 26, and the remains were brought here and interred in Duncan Cemetery Friday. She was a granddaughter of W. M. Gentry and has many other relatives here. She was 20 years of age. Many friends will sorrow over the death of this estimable young lady and join in sympathy to the bereaved relatives.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Notes:

Ken Harvey notes that she is neither in the group photo of Permelia and Walter's family, nor is she remembered by Lewis Adair Payne. She is also not listed with her other sisters at the time of the 1910 census. She probably died young, before the photo of the other children was taken in 190

Notes:

H(arry). C(arl). Payne Dies Today Duncan Banner Wed. February 20, 1957 Pg. 1 Transcribed by C. R. Strong 11-29-2003

Harry Carl Payne. 60, was found dead in his home on Duncan route 4, about 8 a.m. today. Death apparently was the result of a heart attack. A neighbor, Hoyt (Pete) Hardin, took Payne home between 8 and 9 p.m. Tuesday. Hardin, a brother-in-law, returned this morning and found Payne slumped on his bed and dead. Sheriff James Rose reported Payne had apparently sat on the bed and taken off his shoes, then suffered the heart attack. A retired farmer and rancher and veteran of World War I, Payne had lived in this area most of his life. He was a member of Velma Baptist Church. A native of Butler, Indian Territory, Payne was born February 14. 1897. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the First Baptist Church here. Roy V. Harp, First Christian Church pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Marlow Cemetery under direction of Grantham Funeral Home. Survivors include three sons, Paul James of 102 East Oak; W. L. of Duncan route 4; and Carl Jr. of Comanche. Also three sisters, Mrs.(Virginia Payne) Hoyt Hardin of Duncan route 4 and Mrs.(Vera Payne) John Young and Mrs. (Louise Payne) Charles Birnie, both of Roswell, N. M. and seven grandchildren.

NOTE Headstone in Marlow Cemetery, Sect 10 Blk 10 (Lot 9), states b. 4 Feb 1898 (note in obit 2-14-1897) d. 2-19-1957. Assumed the headstone was correct.

Additional Notes from Kenneth Harvey:

There is an infancy photograph of Carl taken circa 1898 by L. C. Kelley in Duncan, I.T. It is in the possession of Lewis Adair Payne (1997).

All of their three sons, their only three children, were in the Pacific theatre of the 2nd. World War and all three were at the battle of Iwo Jima. All survived even though they were in the thick of the fighting. Dorothy Pattison records another son "Dickie" but this is unlikely.

1903-He was photographed at the age of four with his great-grandparents, John and Pamelia Gentry in Alma, I.T.

1923-Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Gentry of this city (Duncan) celebrated their "Golden Wedding Day" Friday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Payne, a few miles east of this city.

Harry married Caroline "Carrie" Suzanne Cover on 4 Aug 1920 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Caroline was born on 21 Jan 1902 in Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas; died on 25 Feb 1984 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Ethel's mother died when she was just seven years old. She and her sisters Vera and Virginia can be found at the St. Joseph Catholic Boarding School in Chickasha, Grady County at the time of the 1910 census. Her widowed father was still ranching in Duncan, with the help of her brothers.

Mary Ethel had two daughters by her first husband. She married second a Mr. Madison and third J. W. Parker, but had no additional children.

Duncan Banner Sunday, April 25, 1948 Pg. 8 Mrs. Parker, Sulphur, Dies Former Duncan Woman, Daughter of W.W. Payne Mrs. J.W. Parker, 49, Sulphur, former resident of Duncan, died at 5:30 p.m. Friday in a Sulphur hospital after a short illness. The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. today from the Dunn Funeral Home chapel in Sulphur. Burial will be in the Marlow Cemetery. Mrs. Parker was born near Duncan on September 13, 1899, and lived here all her life until moving to California about 7 years ago. From California she moved to Sulphur. She was the daughter of Walter W. Payne, Stephens county pioneer rancher and business man. She is survived by the widower; two daughters, Mrs. Glen Jones, Weott, Calif., and Mrs. Allen Turner of Roff; two brothers, H.C. Payne and J.E. Payne, both of Duncan; three sisters, Mrs. Hoyt Hardin of Duncan, Mrs. John Young, and Mrs. Charles Birnie, both of Roswell, N.M.

Ethel Parker is buried in Section 10, Block 10, Plot 8, Marlow Cemetery. The date of birth shown on her headstone is different from the date shown in the above obituary. It is assumed that the date on the headstone is accurate.

Mrs. Allen Turner was the informant on her death certificate. Mary Ethel's death certificate indicated that she had been "In this community" for just 10 days, but her address was listed as 724 W. 14, Sulphur. Perhaps the period of 10 days refers to her stay at the DeLay Hospital, where she died of acute cardiac failure due to a coronary occlusion.

(Medical):Hard of hearing

Mary married John "Jack" Percy Benton on 8 Jun 1918 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. John was born on 28 Mar 1894 in Kentucky; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Vol. 6, Stephens County Marriage Book:, Lic. # 642
Vera Payne to Clifford Roberts ? No date, Cancelled ?? Presumably married elsewhere in the years 1921/1922.

Vera P(ayne). Young Rites Tuesday

Duncan Banner Monday, March 26, 1962, Pg. 10 Transcribed by C. R. Strong 11-29-2003

Last rites for Vera Payne Young, a former Duncan area resident who died Friday in Roswell, NM., will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Brooks Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Young, a native of the Duncan area, was born on the Payne ranch east of Duncan Aug. 12, 1901. She moved to Roswell eight months ago. Mrs. Young was a member of the First Christian Church here and the widow of John Young, who died here in 1959. Young formerly operated Young's Grocery, east of Duncan. Survivors include a son Clifford Payne Roberts, Lovington, N.M.; and two sisters, Mrs. (Virginia Payne) Hoyt Hardin, Duncan route 4, and Mrs. Louise Birnie, Roswell. Also surviving are two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Roy Harp, retired First Christian pastor, will officiate assisted by Rev. Bill Masters, pastor. Burial will be by Brooks Funeral Home in Marlow Cemetery.
NOTE Headstone in Marlow Cemetery, Sect 10 Blk 9 (Lot 1), states b. 8-12-1901 d. 3-23-1962

Vera married Clifford R. "Boscoe" Roberts about 1921. Clifford was born about 1902 in Oklahoma; died about 1935. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Vera married John Clay Young about 1937 in New Mexico. John was born on 17 Aug 1900 in New Mexico; died on 4 Oct 1959; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"Jan 4th, 1977....I do not hear much from Duncan folks since Grace (Ellen Gentry Payne) and Virginia (Payne Hardin) gone they always kept me up on news. W.T. (Gentry) does call now and then and brought his mother out to see us before she passed away. We did not get to go over to her funeral. Had a terrific ice storm so could not drive...Ruth Pearl Gentry."

Thursday, April 22, 1971

Mrs. Hardin's Rites Saturday

Mrs. Virginia Callie Hardin, 67, of Duncan Rt. 4, died at 10 p.m. Wednesday at her home following a long illness. Mrs. Hardin, born here on Aug. 23, 1903, was a member of the First Christian Church here. On May 2, 1925, she married Hoyt (Pete) Hardin in Walters.

Survivors include her husband of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Frances DuBose of Houston, Tex.; a grandson and a great-granddaughter. Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Morgan Sly, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Duncan Cemetery. Bearers will be Bruce Ridley, Lynn Colbert, Les Corbett, Leonard Ketchum, J.D. Harmeyer and Ed Davis.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Virginia married Terriel Hoyt Hardin on 2 May 1925 in Walters, Cotton County, Oklahoma. Terriel was born on 12 Oct 1906 in Oklahoma; died on 16 May 1995 in Harris County, Texas; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Known as Dukey. Ken Harvey reports that his mother died when he was only two years old and he was raised by some black servants for a couple of years. Someone else in the family later took him in.


Duncan Banner
Friday, June 5, 1953
Death Comes to J. E. Payne
John Earl Payne, 49, longtime Stephens county farmer-stockman, died in his automobile early this morning while returning from Oklahoma City. Payne complained to his wife of being too tired to drive as they came through Marlow and she relieved him at the wheel. Death, which followed shortly, about 1:30 a.m. was attributed to a heart attack.
Payne, who was born January 3, 1904, in Duncan, lived at his ranch 14 miles east of Duncan.
Survivors are the widow, Gladys; a daughter, Mrs. Virginia Strain of Duncan route 4, and a son, Tommy, 10, of the home address.
Other survivors are a brother, Carl of route 4, and three sisters, Mrs. Virginia Harden of Duncan route 4 and Mrs. Vera Young and Mrs. Louise Birnie, both of Roswell, N.M.
The service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the West Side Church of Christ with Orrin Otley, minister, officiating. Burial will be in the Duncan Cemetery under the direction of Grantham Funeral Home.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

(Research):1930 census Stephens Co. OK ED 9
- pg 272B - sheet 10B - Hope Twp.
189/191
Surginer, Isaac M., MW 40 M, age when first married-20, TX MO MO
Surginer, Lilly M., FW 39 M, age when first married-19, OK US TX
189/192
Payne, John, MW 25 M, age when first married 21 OK MO TX
Payne, Edna, FW 20 M, age when first married 16 OK TX OK
Payne, John W., son, MW 11/2 OK OK OK

John married Edna Surginer on 24 Apr 1926 in Oklahoma. Edna was born about 1910. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Gladys Powell on 13 Oct 1931 in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma. Gladys was born on 22 Mar 1906 in Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 19 Jan 1995 in Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ken Harvey writes that "Her mother died following her birth and she was taken in by her grandmother Mary E. Mounts. She used to call her "Mama" as she was the only mother she ever knew. Her father always paid her expenses. Her hair was carefully cut off by her father when it was medically advised. She was suffering from a fever or something. It was evidently very beautiful hair and it was preserved. Unfortunately the hair disappeared following her father's second marriage. Her grandmother used to take it out and wash it every year. In those days it was quite valuable. The children greatly resented the second wife who they suspected sold the hair."

She was a 1924 graduate of Duncan, Oklahoma, High School.

Ken shows that she was married to a Charles Bernie, and that they had an infant that was born around 1924 that died at about one year of age.

Her death certificate, viewable online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976, shows that she was the widow of Charles Birnie. A Charles Birnie (Jr.?) was the informant. Her usual residence was listed as Roswell, New Mexico.

(Medical):See attached sources.

Family/Spouse: Charles Birnie. Charles was born about 1906 in Oklahoma; died in Sep 1961 in New Mexico. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

His name was pronounced Reen.

He was born in the early part of the year 1907 as he was able to boast to his younger brothers that he had been born in Territory days, statehood being conferred in November.

He worked for Marvin Walter Payne for a while in Chickasha Cotton Oil Mill.

His father died, shortly followed by his mother, and he ended up with the responsibility for four younger siblings.



(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK King Twp.
ED 69-7 Sheet 13A
205/229
Gentry, Rene H., WF 23 M 21 OK OK OK
Ruth, wife FW 21 M 18 OK TX TX
Rene, Jr., son MW 4/12 S OK OK OK
Cline, Willaid, sister-in-law FW 26 S TX TX TX

Rene married Ruth Marg Cline on 19 Nov 1927 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Ruth was born about 1908 in Oklahoma; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Killed in a one car accident which his Model T went out of control on a dirt road. He was taking someone to see the doctor. The patient being conveyed survived.

Notes:

She was married twice: to Thomas Summerville and to Bob Woods. According to the 1930 Oklahoma census, she was also married to an E. E. Dewey in Duncan.

Family/Spouse: E. E. Dewey. E. was born about 1910 in Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the time of the 1930 Oklahoma census, she was living with her sister and brother in law, who were newlyweds.

1930 census Stephens Co. OK King Twp., Duncan city, ED 69-7 Sheet 15A 815 Elm-247/267 Dewey, E.E., MW 20 M 19 OK TN TN
Frankie, wife FW 19 M 18 OK TX TX
Gentry, June, sister-in-law FW 16 S OK

Ada Evening News June 13, 2002

JUNE ALLISON ADA - Services for June G. Allison, 88, Ada, are 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, the Rev. Tom Willoughby officiating. Burial follows at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to either First Baptist Church at Lawton or First Baptist Church at Ada.

She died June 11, 2002, at a local hospital. She was born June 22, 1913, at Arthur to Frank and Ada Gentry.

She was active in church and was a member of the First Baptist Church at Lawton for over 50 years. She was a volunteer at Southwestern Medical Center at Lawton for more than 20 years. She retired from AAFES.

She and J.P. "Jake" Allison were married Oct. 24, 1931, at Oklahoma City. He died April 6, 1992.

Survivors include a son, Pete Allison, Ada; a brother, John Gentry, Velma; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Becker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

(Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

June married John Paul "Jake" Allison, Sr. on 24 Oct 1931 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. John was born on 18 Nov 1909 in Decatur, Wise County, Texas; died on 6 Apr 1992 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Was staying with his Uncle at the time of the 1930 census.

1930 census Stephens Co. OK East 1/2 of King Twp., ED 69-10 Sheet 3B 46/51

Gentry, Edgar J., MW 49 M 29 TX MS IL
Frances, wife FW 38 M 18 OK TX TX
William T., son MW 19 S OK TX OK
Mary T., dau. FW 18 S OK TX OK
John V., nephew MW 15 OK TX OK

The Duncan Banner

Sunday, July 25, 2004

John Vernon Gentry

March 11, 1915 - July 22, 2004

VELMA - Service for John Vernon Gentry, 89, of Velma, who died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Duncan Regional Hospital, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Velma Baptist Church with the Rev. Cody Deevers officiating.

Burial will be at the new Velma Cemetery under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home. All visitation will be at the Velma Chapel.

Gentry was born March 11, 1915, in Arthur, to Frank M. and Ada (Jones) Gentry. Both his parents preceded him in death.

Gentry was a retired farmer/rancher, who served as a Stephens County Deputy Sheriff for eight years. He was a member of the Velma Masonic Lodge and Red Red Rose.

On April 16, 1934, John married Allene Riggs in Duncan. He was a member of Velma Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Allene Gentry of the home; three daughters, Agatha June McNeill of Denton, Texas, Aurelia Gail Patton of Ardmore and Frankie Kay Sims of Sulphur; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Pallbearers will be Jim Patton, Bob Sims, Perry McNeill, Kent Pogue and Lloyd Ely.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Velma Baptist Church building fund, P.O. Box 249, Velma, OK 73491.

John married Nellie Allene Riggs on 16 Apr 1934 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Nellie was born on 5 Jul 1916 in King, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 3 Aug 2016 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Velma Cemetery, Velma, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Oklahoman GENTRY Freeland N., my beloved husband and father of our daughter, Freeland N. Gentry, 77, passed away Dec. 13, 1995 in OKC. He was born Feb. 8, 1918 in Duncan, OK. Freeland was a veteran of WWII, serving in Persia and Belguim. He retired from Wilson Foods in 1980, having worked there for 45 years. Freeland is survived by his wife, Nadine; a daughter, Pamela Baker and husband, Greg Baker; a grandson, Bryant Baker and his wife, Micha; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Allene Gentry; a sister, June Allison; and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 1995 at Resthaven Memory Gardens. Resthaven Funeral Home

More About FREELAND NORMAN GENTRY: Burial: 1995, Restaven Memory Gardens, OKC, OK

Family/Spouse: Nadine Elsie Robinson. Nadine was born on 14 Jan 1925; died on 1 Jan 1988 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Toy Thompson on 23 May 1931 in Gatlin, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Toy was born on 2 Mar 1913 in Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 21 Jun 2006 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

After marriage they lived in Ohio. They had no children. Moved back to Duncan on retirement.

Thelma's obituary from THE DUNCAN BANNER dated 11 June 1996 read:

Mary Thelma Gentry Callahan

Duncan resident Mary Thelma Gentry Callahan, 84, died Sunday, June 9, 1996, at home.

Service will be at 10 am Thursday in First United Methodist Church under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral home with the Rev. Phil Wahl and the Rev. Eldon Moelling officiating.

Mrs. Callahan was born January 13, 1912 in Duncan to the late Edgar and Sara (Kincannon) Gentry. She was married to the late John T. Callahan in 1934. She was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church. Survivors include a nephew, Charlie Gentry of Duncan; a grandnephew, Chris Gentry of Lawton; a grandniece, Tara Gentry of Duncan; and a sister-in-law, Toy Gentry of Duncan. She was preceded in death by a brother, W.T. Gentry.

Mary married John T. "Cal" Callahan in 1934. John was born on 18 Feb 1897 in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas; died in Nov 1968 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ken Harvey indicates she died of the same thing that killed her mother. He might be mistaken, however, as her mother lived until the age ot 89. It was John's first wife that died young. It appears she was married and may have been the mother of the infant Mark Sale Chessman. She died a mere 10 days after he did, possibily from complications of childbirth.

Brewster Co. Cemetery book, Elm Grove Cemetery, Alpine, TX. Lot #1, Block 6-A John William Gentry August 9, 1885 October 6, 1972 Julia Zumwalt Gentry March 14, 1892 March 13, 1981 Peggy Kirby Gentry November 3, 1933 March 17, 1973 Julia Gentry Chessman May 18, 1918 July 27, 1949 Mark Sale Chessman , Infant Son, July 15 - 17, 1949

(Courtesy of Lucy Anderson Lowrie)

Notes:

Texas Death Index: Gentry John William JR 04-21-1991 TRAVIS M

SSDI JOHN W GENTRY 07 Nov 1920 21 Apr 1991 (not specified) (none specified) 449-18-5193 Texas

Family/Spouse: Peggy Anne Kirby. Peggy was born on 30 Nov 1933 in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas; died on 17 Mar 1973 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was born near the County Line of Stephens and Carter counties, Oklahoma.

An infancy photograph taken at Cobb's Studio in Quanah, Texas, circa 1910 which suggests that Chad, as he was known, was born there? however the 1920 census gives Oklahoma as place of birth. Photograph is in the possession of Lewis Adair Payne (1997).

He was named Claude after his father, Marvin's, great life-long friend Claude Holcombe, who lived in Quanah, TX.

He is not in the Payne/Gentry family reunion photograph of 1927, when he would have been nineteen, because ... could he have already joined the army?

Military Discharge recorded in Stephens County Courthouse Book 22, page 287. Not viewed.

His marriage probably occured before July 21st. 1936 as entered above as his younger brother, Lewis Adair Payne, "lunched at Chad's and Lois's [while in Duncan]. Place certainly run down, don't believe I could live there any more."4 on that date.

Worked for OTASCO in Guthrie c. 1939. 5

1955 ? "M-Sgt. C.C. Payne
Full military funeral services for M-Sgt. Chadwick C. Payne, 47, of 1907 Ash, will be held at 10:30 Tuesday in the new Post Chapel at Fort Sill with Chaplain (1st Lt.) Charlie W. Hargrave and Rev. Russell T. Rauscher, rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal church, officiating. Burial will be in Fort Sill cemetery with Becker Funeral home in charge. Sgt. Payne, a captain in the reserve, died at 3 p.m. Saturday at the family home apparently of a heart attack. He had just been released from the hospital on a 24 hour pass at the time of his death."6

1998 ? Lewis Adair Payne, 84, ... ... ... died died Tuesday, 18 Aug. 1998, at Stillwater Medical Center [OK] .... ... ... He was predeceased by two brothers, Claude Chadwick Payne and Marvin Walter Payne and one sister Mary Olive Thompson. Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Lunora; two daughters; Robin White of Joplin, Mo and Penny Harvey of Glencoe, OK; and his two grand-sons Bracken White of San Francisco, Ca and Gentry White of Columbia, Mo and grand-daughter Anne Marie Busse of Joplin, Mo. ... ... ...7

Claude married Lois Macel Reed on 24 Dec 1935 in Comanche County, Oklahoma. Lois was born on 30 Jan 1917 in Gage, Ellis County, Oklahoma; died on 17 Oct 2004 in Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Robert Andrew Thompson about 1941. Robert was born on 30 Oct 1897; died on 4 Mar 1986 in Burnet County, Texas; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lewis was named after David Lewis Adair who was dating a fellow resident of his parent's rented house (corner of 10th and Main, Duncan, OK.). David was so pleased when he was told falsely by the girl that the new baby was being named after him that he purchased a pair of shoes for the child. The gift was gratefully accepted. The name was probably shortened as there was a David L. Payne well known in Oklahoma history (a Yankee captain boomer involved in scandal).

1932 - Attended Ardmore High School.

1933 - In January, he moved to Lefors, Texas, to live with his aunt Pearl for the rest of the academic year. He went to the local High School. He was described on arrival as coming "from Ardmore with a fine [report] card." He immediately became a reporter on the school newspaper 'The Pirate' and gained a schoolwide reputation as a poet and orator.

1934-Graduated from Duncan High School.

1936-8 Began a daily journal which he was to regularly write up for one year. Went to work with a Tulsa barnstormer, Earl Field, and learned aircraft engines on the job. He earned about five dollars a week. He was living with his parents in Duncan.

1940 - Ground Instructor's Certificate # 41961-40 issued 10th October 1940.

1941-- Started teaching at Oklahoma A & M College. Aircraft mechanics certificates #M-64172-41 issued 7 April 1941

1943-45 Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor for Government Flight School, Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 1945, Lewis, his wife Lunora, and their oldest daughter, Robin were living at 511 Hester Street.

1945-46 Self employed, buying and selling surplus wartime aircraft. In the June 7, 1998 Stillwater NewsPress, Steve Clark wrote that for a short time right after World War II, Stillwater had its own "air force...the warplanes-475 bombers and fighters began arriving at Searcy Field in 1945 to be parked until the government could figure out how to dispose of them...All 475 planes were bought by one man: Paul Mantz, the famous air racer and movie stunt pilot who died in the 1960s during the filming of THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX....Mantz paid $55,426 for the whole batch, making most, if not all of his money back by draining the planes's fuel tanks and selling the thousands of gallons of 100-octane gasoline. He kept 12 of the warbirds for himself...Most of the leftovers were sold to a scrap dealer from Wichita, though a few others escaped destructions..." Lewis Payne purchased one of the seven P-51 Mustangs in partnership with another man. At some stage his partner crashed and was killed. Lewis turned his share to the insurance money over to the grateful widow...In 1988 there are 51 of these aircraft still flying and each is worth about hald a million dollars.

1946-Pilot certificate #466435 issued on 19 March 1946

1946-1950 Instructor aircraft mechanic

1950-1952 Quality Control Inspector for Convair Aircraft, Fort Worth, Texas.

1952-61 Aircraft electrical shop supervisor, Arabian-American Oil Company, Saudi Arabia.

1961-1964 Started a retail liquor business in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This was not a success in a town where few people drank.

1964-1965 Downtown Airport, Oklahoma City.

1965-1968 Engineer for Philco-Ford Corporation, Fort Benning; Seychelles; Green Hill; Thailand; Vung Tau, Vietnam.

1968- Maintenance Supervisor, Swan Rubber Company, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

1970-1971 Field Engineer with Philco Ford, worked in Taiwan (9 months) and Iran (6 months) erecting still towers.

Obituary

"Lewis Adair Payne, 84 was a longtime breeder of Arabian horses in addition to being an aircraft mechanic. He was also a retired expatriate engineer.

He died Tuesday, 18 August 1998, at Stillwater Medical Center. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Strode Funeral Home. Private intermment and service will be at a later time in Duncan.

Payne was born March 15, 1914, in Duncan, to Marvin Walter Payne and Grace Ellen Gentry; both the children of Oklahoma Pioneers. He married Lunora McWethy in 1943. She is the daughter of William Meade McWethy and Ethel Arretha Phenis both formerly of Stillwater.

In the last 37 years of his life, Lewis devoted himself to the breeding of Arabian horses in the Stillwater area. His objective was achieve classical perfection in both body type and movement. His artist's eye later resulted in national recognition from a minority interested in the preservation breeding of this fine horse-celebrated by the 4th century B.C. Greeks in the marble statuary of the Parthenon frieze. At considerable cost to him he did not allow the untutored requirements of the market to damage the historic bloodlines of his horses. For a long time he stood alone.

Originally an aircraft mechanic in the later barnstorming days, Lewis was to instruct students in aircraft maintenance for the National Defense Training School during WWII at Searcy Field, the Stillwater airport. From there he spent nine years with his young family in Saudi Arabia working for Aramco. He later became an engineer for Philco-Ford with whom he worked all over the world.

He was a man who expanded his formal university classes with very extensive reading and travel. He last journeyed around the world at the age of 80. His curiousity was wide and his interests were cosmopolitan.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Claude Chadwick Payne and Marvin Walter Payne and one sister, Mary Olive Thompson. Survivors include his wife of fifty-two years, Lunora; two daughters; Robin White of Joplin, Missouri and Penny Harvey of Glencoe, OK; and two grandsons Bracken White of San Francisco, CA and Gentry White of Columbia, MO and grand-daughter Anne Marie Busse of Joplin, Mo.

Memorials may be made to the Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum."

Lewis's ashes were buried on a hill, under an oak tree, with a view of Hell Creek below. The burial site was on the land his grandfather Sam homesteaded and where he himself grew up during his teenage years. There was a brief informal religious ceremony conducted by son-in-law Tom White. Afterwords a picnic was served at the East Wing of the Stephens County Fairgrounds.

(The above is courtesy of Kenneth and Penny Harvey)

Lewis married Lunora McWethy on 8 May 1943 in Pawnee, Pawnee County, Oklahoma. Lunora (daughter of William Meade McWethy and Ethel Arretha Phenis) was born on 10 Feb 1911 in Lorena, Beaver County, Oklahoma; died on 8 Mar 1999 in Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Stillborn. Not listed by his mother in her listing of her four surviving children, hence exact date unknown.

Notes:

Known as "Snort" from the noise he used to make as a baby when feeding.

He was a teacher in Cushing, Oklahoma for a long time. He read widely. Marvin later had a job working with the Indian community.

He liked Pow wows and "good" music. His favorite cigarette was Camel, cigar White Owl, drink Gin, sport football, and his favorite authors were the poets Byron and Whitman.

He was 54 when he died. The funeral services were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Andarko. His pall bearers were Joe Mayfield, Oral Jackson, Glenn Payne, Ed Monasco, Windell Haley and Homer Strong.

Marvin married Willadine "Deana" Myers on 29 Jan 1950 in Apache, Caddo County, Oklahoma. Willadine was born on 28 Jul 1926 in Oklahoma; died on 28 Nov 1993 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married Larkin Smith Daugherty before 1935. Larkin was born about 1908 in Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was called Howell, rather than Emory, which was what his father was called.

His certificate of birth shows that 3 children had been born to his parents, including his birth. His parents were listed as being from Arthur, Oklahoma, and ages 24 and 22. His father was a farmer, and mother a housewife.

Emory was shown as being widowed at the time of his death. His occupation was listed as Stone Mason. The informant was Bernice Leftwich.

Emory married Nellie Ruth Sanders on 27 Apr 1938 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Nellie (daughter of William Jasper Sanders and Tressie Thelma Cole) was born on 4 Apr 1923 in Boswell, Choctaw County, Oklahoma; died on 24 Mar 1995 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; was buried in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Military Discharge of a Harry Carl Payne Jr. is recorded in Stephens County Courthouse Book 3, page 574. Not viewed.

Harry married Hazel Martha Alexander on 20 Aug 1948 in Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas. Hazel was born on 31 Dec 1923 in Oklahoma; died on 11 Mar 1999 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Military Discharge of a Paul James Payne is recorded in Stephens County Courthouse Book 6, page 307. Not viewed.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times
July 2008

Paul J. Payne passed away July 14, 2008. He was born to Harry C. and Caroline Payne on November 21, 1922. He served in the Marine Corps during WWII. Paul was lovingly known as "P.J." and "Greatdad". He retired from Coastal States/Valero. Paul was a creative, innovator whose inventions brought fun, joy, laughter and happiness to those with whom he shared them. His daily home and work lives were also evident of his innovative nature.

He is preceded in death by wife Pansy Payne, son Paul G. Payne, and brother J.R. Payne. He is survived by his son, Phillip (Becky) Payne; daughters, Klyda (Jerry) Gerber, Yvette (Ron) Schroeder, Zoe (Chuck McKinney) Payne; son by heart adoption, Danny Talley; Brother W.L. "Bill" Payne; Grandchildren, Phillip Gerber, Michelle Zudrell, Shanna Wiley, Eddie Gerber, Jackie Nash, Jeff Gerber, Stacey Evans, Kim Hammett, Joslyn Burnett, Nick Schroeder, and Tom McKinney; 16 Great-Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Seaside Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel. Entombment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

(Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

Paul married Vinita Joy Snow after 1945. Vinita was born on 27 Oct 1925 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 1 May 2009 in Kirkland, King County, Washington; was buried on 8 May 2009 in Tussy Cemetery, Tussy, Carter County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Paul married Pansy M. Richey on 19 Dec 1953. Pansy was born on 16 Aug 1933; died on 2 Dec 2003 in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Military discharge of a Willie Lee Payne is recorded in Stephens County Courthouse Book 6, page 509. Not viewed.

Willie Lee "Bill" Payne, 86 of Duncan, Okla., died on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at Duncan Regional Hospital in Duncan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6th at Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Randy Southerland officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

The family requests that friends visit them at the funeral home Friday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (not at the home)

Born Saturday, December 20, 1924 in Duncan, he was the son of Harry Carl and Caroline "Carrie" (Cover) Payne. He married Betty Jo Wilson on August 19, 1948 at Wichita Falls, Texas. She preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 1996.

He was a veteran of World War II and a Pearl Harbor survivor, serving in the United States Marine Corps.

As a lifetime farmer and rancher, he was a member of the Cattleman's Association, Stephens County Alfalfa Hay Growers Association, American Legion and The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

Surviving family includes daughter, Lee Johnson and David Senger of Katy, Texas, a grandson, Specialist Chris Johnson of Monterey, Calif., brother-in-law, Earl Wilson of Loco, Okla., sisters-in-law and spouses, Loretta and Kenneth McCalmant, Helen and Charles Allen, Dorothy Wilson and Opal Wilson all of Duncan and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Junior Payne and Paul Payne.

Pallbearers will be: Bill Bunn, Lyndel Strain, David Hale, Jerry Allen, Butch Allen, Larry McCalmant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the: Taylor LeNorman/McCasland Cancer Center of Duncan, c/o Cancer Center Fund, 3401 West Gore Blvd., Lawton, Oklahoma 73505

Willie married Betty Jo Wilson on 19 Aug 1948 in Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas. Betty was born on 22 Feb 1929; died on 30 Nov 1996 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Frances Loraine Dubose Jan. 25, 1926 - Dec. 23, 2001 LIVINGSTON, Texas - Graveside services for Frances Loraine Dubose, 75, of Bryan and formerly of Livingston, are set for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Eureka Cemetery in Corsicana. The Rev. Lee Poe will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston. Mrs. Dubose died Sunday in St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan. She was born in Duncan, Okla., and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Livingston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Dubose. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Eddie Hoyt and Tex Ann Drath of Bryan; a stepson and daughter-in-law, Roddy and Linda Dubose of Houston; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Frances married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Frances married Clayton Eulan DuBose after 1948. Clayton was born on 5 Jul 1917; died on 10 Dec 1998 in Polk County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Duncan Banner
April 1995
John W. Payne
Former Duncan Police Capt. John Walter Payne, 66, Rt. 6, Duncan, died Sunday, April 23, 1995 in a Duncan hospital. Service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. J. D. Young officiating. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery.
He was born Feb. 21, 1929 on the Payne Ranch east of Duncan, to James E. and Edna M. Surginer Payne.
On July 5, 1955 he married Bertie Geneva Hopkins at Henrietta, Texas. He was a retired captain of the Duncan Police Department and a past member of the FOP and National Rifle Association.
Survivers include his wife of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Kathy Payne of Duncan; his mother of Duncan; and two grandchildren, Dillon Flippen and Caleb Flippen, both of Duncan.
Bearers will be Bill Hines, Rex Ross, Dale Anderson, John Hilburn, Jerry Wilson and Delbert Rhodes.
(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

John married Bertie Geneva Hopkins on 5 Jul 1955 in Henrietta, Clay County, Texas. Bertie was born on 11 Aug 1933 in Harrisburg, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 17 May 2005 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

CA Death Records, 1940 thru 1997

Headline: Rene H. Gentry, 60, executive for S&L, community activist Publication Date: October 06, 1990 Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune Page: A-8 Subjects: Region: Pacific Rim; Southern California Obituary: Memorial services for Rene H. Gentry, 60, of Del Cerro, will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow in San Carlos United Methodist Church. Cremation was planned by Featheringill Mortuary, with interment in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. He died Wednesday in his home. Mr. Gentry, a native of Duncan, Okla., lived in the county 40 years. During a 30-year career with the Central Savings Association, he was savings-division manager, personnel manager and director of public affairs. He was active in the church and had served as president of the Kiwanis Club of San Diego; as a director of the San Diego Community Concert Association, the Central City Association and the Crime Victims Fund; as a trustee of the La Jolla Town Council; an executive trustee of the Mexican and American Foundation; chairman of the San Diego Neighborhood Home Loan Counseling Service; and a committee chairman for Boy Scout Troop 920. Survivors include his wife, Catherine; two sons, Brian, of Pleasanton, Calif., and Kirk, of Spring Valley; and five grandchildren. The family suggested donations to the church or to San Diego Hospice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------

Headline: Rene H. Gentry Publication Date: October 15, 1990 Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune Page: B-12 Subjects: Region: Pacific Rim; Southern California Obituary: Rene H. Gentry, 60, Navy veteran and civic leader and retired from Central Savings Association, died Oct. 3 in his Del Cerro home. A resident of San Diego since 1950, he had been a director of Central City Association, a trustee on the La Jolla Town Council and director of the San Diego Community Concert Association. He was a member and past president of the San Diego Kiwanis Club and had been committee chairman of Troop 920, Boy Scouts of America. He had served as executive trustee of the Mexican and American Foundation and was a director of the Crime Victims' Fund. He had served as chairman of the board of the San Diego Neighborhood Home Loan Counseling Service, and was an active member of the San Carlos Methodist Church. Mr. Gentry was born in Duncan, Okla., and came to San Diego with the Navy in 1950. He and his wife, Catherine, also an Oklahoma native), were married in 1951. He joined Central Savings and, during his 30-year career there, he served as personnel manager, Savings Division manager and, through the latter part of his career, he held the post of director of Public Affairs. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Catherine; two sons, Brian of Pleasanton and Kirk of Spring Valley; and five grandchildren. Memorial services were held Oct. 7 in San Carlos United Methodist Church. Cremation was planned, under direction of Featheringill Mortuary, and inurnment was in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to San Diego Hospice, 9797 Aero Dr., Suite B, San Diego 92123-1831, or, San Carlos United Methodist Church, 6554 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego.


(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Rene married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ada Evening News - Nov. 19, 2003

Pete Allison

Pickett- Services for John Paul "Pete" Allison, 69, Pickett, are 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, the Revs. John Haynes and Russell Rhodes officiating. Burial follows at Rosedale Cemetery.

Mr. Allison died Nov. 17, 2003, at a local hospital. He was born Dec. 14, 1933, at Oklahoma City to John P. and June Gentry Allison. He came to this area in 1996 from Houston, Texas. He attended grade school at Fort Sill and attended Lawton High School. He graduated from Oklahoma State University Technical School in fire protection. He was a retired fire and safety petroleum engineer. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956.

He and Coletta J. Hennessee were married Sept. 1, 1953, at Lawton. Survivors include his wife, Coletta J. Allison, of the home; a daughter Kelley J. Isom and husband Charles A. Isom, Jr., Ada; a son, Scott E. Allison*, Houston, Texas; and a grandson, Aaron Allison, Houston, Texas.

Bearers are Aaron Allison, Truman Layne, J.D. Barnscum, Calvin Cradduck, Jack Jones and Lawrence Waggoner. Honorary bearers are the Senior Adult I men's Sunday school class at First Baptist Church.

The family says those who wish may make memorials to the Gideon Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 1821, Ada, OK 74821-1821. Criswell Funeral Home, Ada.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

*Scott was married to Sherry Lynn PARKER, and the father of Aaron Paul ALLISON.

John married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Duncan Banner
May 7, 2009
Aurelia G. 'Rhea' PattonJuly 23, 1938 - May 6, 2009 ARDMORE - Funeral services for Aurelia G. "Rhea" Patton will be Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. in First Baptist Church of Ardmore. Dr. Alton Fannin will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Craddock Funeral Home. She was born July 23, 1938, at Duncan, to John V. Gentry and Allene Riggs Gentry. She departed this life on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at her home. Rhea was married to Jim Patton on July 17, 1974, in Ardmore. She had worked for the County Court Clerk's office, First Federal Savings and Loan and had retired as branch manager for the First Community Branch Bank on Broadway. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, where she had sung in the choir for 20 years. She was also a member of the HCE Triangle Group. She is survived by her husband, Jim of the home; her mother, Allene Gentry of Velma; a daughter, Renee Bailey and husband, Terry, of San Antonio, Texas; a son, Kent Pogue and wife, Sandy, of Velma; stepdaughter, Sherry Patton, and stepson, Gary Patton and wife, Nadine, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters: June McNeill and husband, Perry, of Denton, Texas, and Frankie Sims and husband, Bob, of Davis; five grandchildren: Zac and Adam Pogue, Coby, Taylor and Colton Bailey; two step-grandchildren: Matthew Patton and wife, Jessie, and Stephanie Smith and husband, Jesse; and a great-grandchild, Jacob Patton. Pallbearers will be Harlen Seeliger, Lyle Jerome, Jerry Sutton, John DeHart, Zac Pogue, Adam Pogue, Coby Bailey and Terry Bailey. Honorary bearers are Don Howard, Perry McNeill, John Anderson, Creede Speake, Bob Sims and Bob Drake. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Memorials may be made to Cross Timbers Hospice, 207 "C" Street NW, Ardmore, OK 73401. Online condolences may be made.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Aurelia married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Aurelia married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary
The Duncan Banner online edition
Published on February 12, 2008

Feb. 14, 1937 -Feb. 9, 2008

Retired Maj. Chad C. Payne, 70, of Duncan, died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, in his home with his family after a lengthy illness.Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Heritage Oaks Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Bobby Howard officiating. Interment with military honors will be at 1 p.m. in Fort Sill Post Cemetery under direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home.The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Payne was born Feb. 14, 1937, in Duncan, to Chad C. Payne Sr. and Lois Reed Payne. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1955 and from Cameron University in 1957. He then attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1960. He married Pat Tompkins on Dec. 31, 1957, in Burkburnett, Texas.He served two tours of duty in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, flying helicopter gunships. He was awarded the Silver Star, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medal with 49 clusters, the Purple Heart, and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

Mr. Payne was director of the Delta Elderly Nutrition Program serving Stephens and McClain counties for 31 years.He was a very talented Western artist and enjoyed painting, classical music and gun collecting.

Survivors include his wife, Pat of the home; two sons and a daughter-in-law: Scott and Michelle Payne of Duncan, and Richard Payne of San Francisco, Calif.; a sister, Rosemary Merriman of Florida; six grandchildren: Leslie Majors, Sydney Payne and Lyndsey Payne, all of Duncan, Kale Payne of Norman, Blake Payne of Fort Drum, N.Y., and Candice Payne of Edmond; and two great-grandchildren: Chase and Hunter Majors of Duncan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.Bearers will be members of the military.Honorary bearers will be Jim Busby, Tom Cooper, Bob Crissman, Pete Iglesias, Mike Klinker, Kirby Spain, Bill Stribling, Johnnie Sweeten and Early Watkins.Memorial contributions may be made to Fresenius Dialysis Medical Center, 4516 SE Lee Blvd., Lawton, OK 73501.Online condolences may be made at www.granthamfuneralhomes.com .


The following biography was written by Ken Harvey:

Duncan veteran pioneered air mobility idea in Vietnam.

Mention Vietnam, and the image most people conjure up is one of human tragedy. The conflict left enough gaps in the populace to cover a whole wall in Washington, to say nothing of the lingering effects veterans suffer from; injuries, disease, post-traumatic stress syndrome, chemical dependency, Agent Orange and, disturbingly, neglect. It was, after all, a defeat that most Americans would sooner forget.

But today we turn to Chad Payne for a slightly different picture-that of the Vietnam veteran as a pioneer in the air mobility concept. In 1971, W.E. Butterworth wrote in his book "Flying Army" that 'the war in Vietnam, whatever else it has cost, has given the United States Army a capability in mobility by air. Without the unprecedented maneuverability of the Airmobile Division, the Vietnam conflict would have gone much worse for the United States than it did,' Butterworth said.

Payne, now project director for Delta Nutrition in Duncan, was an Army pilot when helicopters came of age. He watched them outgrow their role of flying ambulance to become gunships, transports for cargo and personnel, and flying cranes for the retrieval of downed aircraft.

To appreciate the strides in aviation that came out of Vietnam requires some understanding of what went before. Military aviation dates back to the Civil War, when Thaddeus Lowe sent up his balloons for observation purposes.

The next stage in the development of aviation is represented by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Aeronautical Division and dogfights between World War I fighter planes with dual machine guns synchronized to fire between spinning propeller blades.

Fast-forward to World War II. The Army Air Forces were created by Congress on June 20, 1941, but there were growing pains as the Air Force asserted its independence. The need for Army-owned, Army-controlled light aircraft responsive to the needs of ground forces became evident, and the Grasshoppers were born. These served as observation posts for directing artillery fire or as taxis for couriers.

Meanwhile, Russian-born Igor Sigorsky, who had shelved his idea of a helicopter in 1910 until technology had progressed enough to cope with the many problems posed by rotary-wing aircraft, decided in the 1930s that the time was ripe. By 1939, his VS-300 could stay aloft for two minutes. Two years' worth of modifications expanded that limit to 1 hour, 32 minutes, 26.1 seconds.

Others turned their minds to the problem (Stanley Hiller, Frank Piasecki and Larry Bell). During the Korean conflict, however, helicopters were used for little more than the medical evacuation purposes shown on "M*A*S*H.

Then came Vietnam.

The first people sent by President John F. Kennedy were special forces people and advisers. Helicopters made their appearance there in December 1961 with the Piasecki H- 21, a 20-passenger transport helicopter first acquired by the Army one month after the Korean armistice.

In response to a wish list known as the revised Military Characteristics for a Utility Helicopter of 1959, Bell Aircraft Co. produced the HU-1A, standing for Helicopter, Utility, Model 1, Modification A. The Army called it the Iroquois, but to Payne and his contemporaries it was simply the "Huey."

Brought to Vietnam by way of the Utility Tactical Transport Company in Okinawa, the Huey was the first turbine-powered helicopter produced in the United States.

"All of a sudden we had a relatively compact aircraft that was easy to maintain and speedier," Payne said.

In 1960, the same year that the 82nd Airborne Division began receiving them, the Rogers Board decided to put the helicopters into a more active combat role. In those days technical representatives from Bell Helicopter were in daily contact with the pilots, who used to get certificates from Bell saying that they were among the first to fly this new craft.

It was on Dec. 11, 1961, that the 57th Transportation Co. from Fort Lewis, Wash., and the 8th Transportation Co. from Fort Bragg, N.C., docked in Saigon. Aircraft were being used to transport troops in combat.

In 1962, Lt. Gen. Hamilton H. Howze, then the 18th Airborne Corps commander, was designated to set up a board to study combat mobility concentrated in the helicopter. Payne, who was going through flight school at the time the Rogers Board was in session, was by this time with the Aviation Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, which was part of the 18th Airborne Corps.

With a speed amazing to those who were observing the situation, the Howze Board cut through the usual bureaucratic red tape. Its recommendations were to proceed full steam ahead on the whole idea of Army Aviation and begin a divisional level troop test immediately.

After Utility Tactical Transport a Company got shot up by the Viet Cong in the initial gunship clash in January 1963, Payne saw the Army begin to replace Huey A's with B's in May-June 1963. The A's had a 550-hp engine. The B's initially had a 960-hp engine, but later it was beefed up to 1100 hp with a few modifications. The engine weighed 595 pounds and could be changed in the field in 30 minutes. It also had blades that could chop through trees to get into tight places; the old H-21 had had wooden blades.

"The aircraft was designed to work on, to fly, to use," Payne said.

It was still designed for "med evac, but it could hold a command control console for controlling a whole operation; haul cargo and troops into combat; broadcast messages or drop leaflets for propaganda purposes; and then there was Payne's favorite use: by mounting guns and rockets on it, the helicopter became a fighter bomber.

When his superiors learned he had flown H-21s in flight school and had 500 hours of flight time in Hueys, Payne was sent to the 33rd Transportation Co. at Bien Hoa.

"We began to concentrate on implementing the concepts initially spawned by the Rogers Board and tested by the Howze Board," Payne said.

The 33rd Transportation Co. became the 118th Aviation Co., and by the end of September, they were all flying the Huey B model. There were two platoons of 'slicks' used as cargo/personnel transports and armed with machine guns in the doors. There was one platoon of gunships equipped with machine guns and rockets. Payne ended up as an instructor pilot of the gunship platoon. His job was to make sure everyone was current in the M-6 weapons system, which consisted of four machine guns on a flexible mount that could be aimed by the co-pilot.

"We wanted more firepower, so we came up with a jury-rigged rocket system. We scrounged and stole parts from various places and had to do our own wiring. I spent a lot of time down at UTT learning to build and employ weapons systems because that was the only gunship company in the world."

"We ended up with a rocket system which we bolted to the gun mount. It held 16 rockets. if one was hot, you were stuck with it. The rocket tube would blow up. Sometimes it would cause damage, sometimes not. You never knew what might happen when you hit the trigger. You might end up in a rice paddy running from your helicopter 'cause it was about to explode."

In November 1963 Payne was on the way to mess hall when he heard that the president had been shot in Dallas. Coming as it did one month after the Vietnamese overthrow in which they used a barricade of tanks to keep the U.S. troops from interfering, it gave him a strange feeling to be in a foreign country and hear of Kennedy's assassination.

Activity picked up in December. A co-pilot, Lynn Rothenbuhler of Fort Wayne, Ind., was killed instantly by a single bullet that month. Within a week, two gunships from UTT were lost. Both pilots had been Payne's friends back in the 82nd Aviation Battalion. A complete crew was lost on one. The other was shot down in the Mekong, and only two survivors were pulled from the water. For the rest of Payne's tour, the 118th Aviation Co. operated all over the country from Camau in the south to Quang Ngai in the north.

Gunships generally flew in pairs for protection, but Payne's was the exception. Col. Kenneth D. Mertel liked to fly in a gunship, and he wanted to fly with an instructor pilot.

"We used to get into some hellacious gunfights. If we'd ever been knocked down, we would have been MIA because there was nobody to pick us up," Payne said.

Payne returned to the States in May 1964 to the next development in air mobility, the 11th Air Assault Division at Fort Benning, Ga. After a three-month-long field problem in which he went up against his alma mater, he was sent as part of a mission to help settle problems in the Dominican Republic. He spent the first anniversary of his return from Vietnam in the Dominican Republic, musing that he had hardly seen his family since he had been back.

Payne was one of only 300 who could wear the 11th Air Assault badge on his right shoulder to indicate combat. The next thing he knew, he was hearing a speech by President Lyndon B. Johnson that the 11th Air Assault had been redesignated as the 1st Cavalry and was going to Vietnam. Payne was soon told he didn't have to go unless he wanted.

The reason was that he had already had two combat tours within a year. Having returned in May 1964 from one tour of duty in Vietnam, he was sent with the 11th Air Assault to quell problems in the Dominican Republic and spent the first anniversary of his return there, wondering when he would ever get to see his family.

Payne spent one month training new members of the Ist Cavalry, checking people and getting them ready for Vietnam. Then he went to Fort Rucker, Ala., where he became a gunnery instructor. (Fort Sill had been home to the Army Aviation School until August 1954, when it was relocated to Fort Rucker because the other combat arms of the Army objected to the prospect of artillery dominating what was obviously going to be a function of the Army as a whole, according to W.E. Butterworth in his 1971 book "Flying Army").

There was no gunnery program when he arrived, so Payne had to write the gunnery familiarization program. He remembers that as 18 months of relative peace and time with my family "also, some of the best duty I ever pulled in the Army."

In 1967, when he left Fort Rucker Army Aviation was producing 600 pilots a month. That contrasts with 22 new pilots turned out the month of his graduation seven years earlier. The Army's helicopter program was at this time only 19 years old.

In '67 it was back to Vietnam for another tour. Payne was initially assigned to the 9th Infantry Division and three months later to the 120th Aviation Co., which operated out of Hotel 3 on the Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Saigon.

"We lived downtown in a villa, had maids to wash our clothes and shine our boots, great restaurants to eat in, and no shortage of Viet Cong." he said.

Again he ended up with the gunship Platoon, dubbed the Razorbacks by their original platoon leader, who had attended the University of Arkansas. Payne was with them from September 1967 throughout the remainder of his second tour.

By this time, the Army had a C 8 model Huey which was 20 knots faster than the B model, but they seemed to be everywhere else but with the Razorbacks, which still had the B's and the M-16 weapons system.

The Tet offensive, the biggest battle of the war, came in January 1968. Payne's unit was off-duty when they got a call saying the embassy was under attack. He was one of five people in a jeep headed for Tan Son Nhut when they took a bullet through the windshield. It came out the middle of the jeep, but miraculously, no one was hit. Payne said he had a bad feeling, nevertheless.

"Nobody could fire. We were working over the city. Nobody could shoot into the city," he said.

Aircraft were drawing some tracer fire off the runway and Payne flew down Highway 1 across the end of the runway.

"As I turned, the assault on Tan Son Nhut started right under me, They must have thought I was a 'slick' 'cause they never paid any attention to me," he said.

He dumped 48 rockets on an enemy regiment that was on line, advancing on Tan Son Nhut.

They broke the initial assault but the VC did not give up. His team went back to the airfield to re-arm, then took off again for the west end of the runway, but the enemy was waiting for them. They hit the machine gun, and the man stationed there caught part of the fire through the web between his forefinger and thumb. It smashed the gun, and he wrapped a handkerchief around the wound.

"Whole sections of Saigon were destroyed during that fight," Payne said. There was nowhere else to go; every major city was under attack. His craft took 39 hits in about 12 seconds on one pass, and nearly everyone aboard but himself was nicked.

They were still receiving fire as they approached the heliport. Even at a hover, the enemy seemed about to overrun them. They took cover under a revetment so they could rearm their aircraft. Payne said he had 26 men in his platoon, enough to man four helicopters.

"That was the only time in my life I knew I was going to die," he said. "Obviously, I was in error."

Payne said they took off down their own flight line and he was about to hit the firing button when he got the call that the Viet Cong were falling back. The 3/4 Cavalry of 25th Infantry Division set up a defensive perimeter around the heliport so that they had a secure place to rearm and refuel.

"The movies are correct. The cavalry does come to the rescue. They felt like we'd rescued them, we felt like they'd rescued us."

"In the first 12 hours of the Tet offensive, all 9 aircraft of the Razorback platoon were shot up beyond local repairs and were replaced by rebuilt Huey B's flown in from Corpus Christi, Texas. We slapped weapons systems on 'em. They were intended for 1st. Cavalry, but they ended up with us. They decided the capital (of South Vietnam) was more important," Payne said.

Just prior to dawn that morning, they got a call from Capital Military District asking them to check out the Cholon district of Saigon. By this time, there were fires all over Saigon and smoke was building up.

The Razorbacks caught a lot of ground fire on their way over. From the air they could see jeeps turned up on their sides and the bodies of children and civilians sprawled out. They were irked to see, in the midst of the havoc, a senior officer's Bachelor Officer Quarters where a poolside party was in progress, and the officers' Vietnamese girlfriends waving up to them.

"That was the first night of the Tet offensive. We ended up firing into Saigon a whole lot. We chased them into the countryside ... The fighting went on into April," Payne said.

In late April, they got word of a second offensive in the making. Somewhere along the line, Payne had been promoted to major, and he had orders to leave for home May 14. So far, he had been lucky.

Then, in the Giadinh area of Saigon, in the middle of the night, about the first of May, he was hit for the first time. He watched a little flash down below him, and felt his knee come up and hit him in the chin. The bullet had come through the chin bubble of the helicopter and some of the heavier metal pieces. Part of the jacket hit him on the little finger. He thought the finger had been shot off, but it was just a metal fragment stuck into it that came out quite easily.

The real wound was on the back of his thigh. "I still have the bullet in my leg. Nice little memento, but I can't show it to anybody," he said.

Payne felt the impact, but went back for another pass. When he landed, a litter was fetched, but he was walking around and didn't want to get on it because he felt if he did it would be giving up.

"I made it through almost two years of flying gunships before I got wounded. I think that's a record," Payne said.

He left as the May offensive was scaling down, and got out of the Army in 1971, but by that time the gunships he had helped pioneer were accepted by the Army and the rest of the world. (1)

Military Discharge recorded in Stephens County Courthouse Book 21, page 93. Not viewed. Chad was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses during his military service.

2000 Chad Payne's former gunship door gunner is a Hollywood screenwriter and movie producer now. He told Chad he keeps writing him into some of his characters. He evidently rounded out the Col. Kilgore character in "Apocalypse Now" using Chad as his model. Apparently that's the character that famously said "I love the smell of napalm in the morning". Chad claims he finds that scary, but I don't think there is much that would scare the same Chad.(2)

The book "Seven Firefights in Vietnam" records Chad Payne's Vietnam experiences in greater detail.

Chad is becoming quite a successful Western artist now. His prints are selling like hot cakes. He is really very good indeed. A serious western artist in his spare time.(3)


(1). Mitch Meador, Mitch (1993) Duncan veteran pioneered air mobility idea in Vietnam. The Sunday Constitution newspaper, January 10, 1993 - Duncan Oklahoma (2). Harvey, Kenneth Charles (1996) (3). Payne, Lewis Adair (1996) Conversation with Kenneth Charles Harvey

Claude married Patricia Ann Tompkins on 31 Dec 1957 in Burkburnett, Wichita County, Texas. Patricia was born on 26 Jan 1941 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma; died on 15 Jun 2012 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 20 Jun 2012 in Fort Sill Post Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Known as Danny or Danny-boy.

PAMPA-Traffic Accident Fatal for Child

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon for Robert D. Thompson, 3 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Thompson, who was killed at 12:25 Tuesday afternoon in the streets of Pampa. This was the first traffic fatality in the city of Pampa this year. Services will be held in the First Baptist Church in Pampa with the Rev. E. Douglas Carver, pastor the church, officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery with the Duenkel-Carmichael funeral home in charge of the arrangements. Officers reported that the small child was playing about 50 yards from his home and ran from behind a parked car into the path of an automobile driven by J.B. Massa, co-owner of the Soft Water Service Company. The child died instantly. Attending physicians reported that the young boy died of a skull fracture. The child is survived by his parents; one sister, Dorothy; grandparents, Mrs. A.P. Thompson of Breckenridge, and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin W. Payne, Duncan, Oklahoma; uncles Fred Thompson, former mayor of Pampa, and Fritz Thompson of Borger. (Unidentified clipping from 1947)

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Has some family papers.

Lynn married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Oklahoman
January 15, 2009

Juanita L. Rainey, 68, passed away Monday, January 12, 2009, in Moore, Oklahoma. She was born March 22, 1940, in Oklahoma City, to Emory and Nellie (Sanders) Gentry, Jr. Juanita retired in 2001 after 25 years of service as the administration programs officer for the Oklahoma State Health Department. She enjoyed bingo, bowling, crafts, camping and gardening. Juanita's family was very important to her and she will be missed by all. Juanita is survived by her stepfather, Ralph Keck two daughters, Sharon K. Tolliver and husband Lumbia of OKC and Karen Cornelius and husband Keith of Noble, OK two sisters, Bernice Leftwich of OKC and Marilyn Galaviz and husband Joe of OKC three grandchildren, Keith Cornelius II, Joshua Cornelius and Zachary Tolliver. She is preceded in death by her husband, William L. Rainey mother, Ruth Keck brothers, Glen and Jody Gentry and sister, Joyce Hile. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 16, 2009 in the Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in Resthaven Memory Gardens.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Juanita married William Leroy Rainey on 22 Sep 1957 in Yukon, Canadian County, Oklahoma. William was born on 10 Jan 1940 in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas; died on 19 Mar 2006 in Moore, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Bernice married Leroy Leftwich in Feb 1958. Leroy was born on 29 Feb 1940 in Sasakwa, Seminole County, Oklahoma; died on 1 Mar 1994 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Juanita also shows he was also married to Christinelle Hile (b 30 Jul 1944 d 20 Nov 2001 in Oklahoma City, OK)

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

An obit never appeared in the newspaper but Juanita sent one of the little booklets from the funeral.

In Memory of Leonard D'Wayne Gentry

Leonard D'Wayne "Jody" Gentry was born April 30, 1947 and went to meet his Lord and Savior on February 10, 2003. He was the son of Emory Howell Gentry, Jr. and Nellie Ruth Sanders. Jody grew up and went to school in Oklahoma City, the place of his birth. Jody loved to draw pictures and write poems. He was always writing a poem for his mother and drawing pictures. Jody was a very artistic person. He loved to make things. His occupation was as a stone mason and a roofer. He was very good at his job and always loved working until be became disabled and could no longer hold up to it.

Jody was married to Debra Warden and they were a loving, devoted couple who were always together. They attended church until he became too ill to go and he professed his belief in God and that Jesus was his Savior. Jody had one son by a previous marriage, Charles Leon Gentry. Jody grew up in a very close and loving family. He was the fifth child of seven children.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents, one sister who died as an infant, Letitia, and his only brother Glenn. He is survived by his wife, Debra of the home, his son Charlie and two grandchildren, Brian and Kristen of Tulsa, Ok, four sisters, Juanita, Bernice, Joyce and Marilyn of Oklahoma City, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Jody will be missed by all who knew him.

Leonard married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Leonard married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Oklahoman, June 28, 2007

Brenda 'Joyce' Hile, age 58, from Oklahoma City, passed away June 25, 2007. Joyce leaves behind to cherish her memories, 2 sons, Daniel Pena, Jr., Oklahoma City and David Hile, Jr. Moore; 3 daughters, Diana Lancaster, Deborah Pena, and Nellie Wheeler, all of Oklahoma City; and 3 sisters. Services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Hibbs Funeral Home with interment at The Black Cemetery in Pink, Oklahoma.

Family/Spouse: Daniel Edward Pena, Sr.. Daniel (son of Living and Living) was born on 18 Jun 1946 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; died on 19 Jul 2000 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]