Gerald James Payne

Gerald J "Jerry" Payne, age 89, of Oshkosh, passed peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2026, in his family home. He was born in Oshkosh, WI, on November 12, 1936 the son of late John and Bessie Sourek Payne. In his early years, Jerry enjoyed fishing, hunting, auto mechanics and singing in local music groups. Jerry joined the National Guard in 1957 and was ordered to active duty in 1961 in the Army Reserves, serving his country as an auto mechanic in the Army in Fort Riley Kansas until 1962. In 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Leora "Lee" Ziegenhagen at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church in Oshkosh. It was while serving in the army, that his first son, Brian was born in 1962. After his discharge from the Army, he went to work at Rockwell International where he retired in 1992. After retirement, he found great pleasure spending his time fishing and woodworking (creating beautiful, handcrafted furniture pieces). He and Lee also enjoyed traveling to Florida every year and spending time road-tripping throughout the country. He especially loved spending times in Northern Wisconsin at the family cabin and yearly fishing trips including family and extended family. These cherished moments were important to him and exemplified his love for family. He rediscovered his love of singing joining multiple local music groups, the Oshkosh Choraliers, the Winnebagoland Barbershop Chorus, the Golden Tones (Oshkosh Senior Center Choir), the Y-Nots (YMCA Chorus) and "religiously" attended St. Peter's Catholic Church and sang in the Church Choir. He was happiest when he was engaging musically and could be heard, often throughout the Pig, singing and whistling while shopping. He was also an avid community member, volunteering to serve meals with his Loving Partner Patricia Toms and singing and ringing for the Salvation Army, and could find him every summer selling Brats outside local venues through the Barbershoppers, using donations to offer scholarships for young students. He continued his love until his passing, throughout the community.

With his wife Lee, Jerry gave back to their community by opening their home to children through Foster Care, where they spent decades caring for children in their loving, nurturing home. Through the years they touched hundreds of children's lives in positive ways. Our dad taught us to love all God's creatures and save them from harm as he nightly fed the Opossum in his backyard.

His incredible sense of humor often caught people off-guard as his reserved and quiet spirit lent to shock when some random, intellectual, strange comments. On any given day, you would find him having lengthy conversations with phone scammers, playing with them, thereby creating his own enjoyment. Jerry's loving kindness, integrity, and humor, will be sadly missed in our family.

The world is a better place for having our dad in it, he will be forever missed.

Jerry is survived by his loving partner Patricia Toms, of Oshkosh, his sons Brian (Lori) Payne, Jon Hatfield, and daughters Lynn Payne, Glenda Payne, Sara Payne, Melissa Payne and Tabby Payne, three granddaughters, Erika (Randy) O'Neil, Hope Houts, Lauren Koch and three grandsons, Ben Houts, Roxas and Vincent Payne, and one great grandson, Channing O'Neil.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lee Payne, his son, John Michael "Jack" Payne, his loving partner June Tesch, two brothers, John Patrick "Jack" Payne, Richard M "Dick" Payne and one infant sister, Patricia Ellen Payne.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes-East (402 Waugoo Ave) from 4PM until 7PM as well as at Most Blessed Sacrament-St Peter's site (435 High Ave) on May 13, 2026 from 10AM until the time of the mass at 11AM.

As our dad always said,

"Keep the Faith" and "Stay out of Jail"!