Keith Allen Payne passed away on March 15,2020 at his home with his loving family at his side, he was born on July 28th, 1977 to his parents Larry and Jeanette Payne.

As a child, he was a prodigious reader, and particularly loved to read books about animals and nature. This habit might partially explain two of his seemingly supernatural talents: his ability to spell almost any word correctly, and his skill at naming an animal species based on a single picture or even the most opaque of clues.  It was also in his childhood that doctors diagnosed Keith with a previously unknown medical condition, which resulted in a gradual but progressive loss of neuromuscular function. But where others saw physical weakness, Keith taught those with eyes to see a lesson in strength. He attended summer camps by the Muscular Dystrophy Association,  where he came home with awards for being the best dancer; he rode horses in the Special Olympics; he frequently out-fished his dad and two brothers, especially from the Galveston fishing pier where he battled redfish, stingrays, Spanish mackerel, and speckled trout; and he earned unending affection from the animals lucky enough to be his pets, most notably his beloved American bulldog Gideon, and Deebo. Most importantly, however, Keith fought a good fight.  He persevered through countless physical challenges, and refused to give in. He loved his parents deeply, was a devoted brother, and was adored by his nieces and nephews. His strength was particularly shown towards the end of his life on Earth when he reassured his mom, who was crying, with these words: "Mom, it'll be ok. We'll see each other again."  And when we see him again in Heaven, Keith will finally have a physical strength to match what was there beneath the surface all along.

Kieth was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Jean Bell and E.C. and Ruby Payne

Keith leaves to honor his memory, his Parents, Larry and Jeanette Payne, 2 brothers, Jason and wife Alyssa, Jeffrey and wife Alejandra, 2 nephews, Jackson and Everett and niece Arabella, his aunt Janet Thompson, Uncle and Aunt Randy & Cindy McDougal, James & Joan Bell and Many cousins and their families. A Memorial service was held in Keith's Honor by the family.  Memorials may be given in Keith's honor to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.