April 16, 2008

CARL GOOLSBEE PAYNE

 

Graveside service for Carl Goolsbee Payne, 89, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17, at Richfield Cemetery in Richfield, Kan. with Pastor Sandy Ferguson officiating. Military rites will be conducted by VFW Post No. 3162.

Mr. Payne died April 10, in Elkhart, Kan. The fourth child of Jewel Adam and Kate Madaline Payne, he was born Sept. 26, 1918, in Rusk. He was the last living of five brothers and a sister. He was reared in Rusk and among his accomplishments was being a multi-year, three-sport star in high school.

After high school, he entered the Army Air Corps and attended pilot training. After a short period as a flight instructor, he was transferred to the European theater as a fighter pilot. He rapidly advanced to flight leader because of his all-weather flight ability. He is credited as the first American pilot to shoot down the original German jet fighter. After the War he remained in Europe performing various duties and while there he met and married Frances Ellen Kinsler.

He transferred to the Air Force at its inception in 1947 and completed a 30-year career, retiring in 1969. He was selected as an air attaché and among the initial cadre of flight instructors for the Air Force of Thailand.

He was promoted to the rank of Colonel.

He become a wheat farmer and cattle rancher and moved to Richfield, Kan., near his wife's birthplace.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Frances, on Aug. 18, and his brothers and sister. He is survived by their four children, Carl Jr., and his wife, Carolyn of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; Rebecca Payne Houston of Gordonville; Stephen and his wife Bobbie of Richfield; and Theresa Ann Weiss of Plano; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Memorials may be given to VFW Post #3162 or to the donor's choice in care of Garnand Funeral Home, P.O. Box 854, Elkhart, Kan. 67950.

Information from The Cherokeean Herald