Leonard Gheesling Payne, 87, of Lake Charles, passed away, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at a local care facility.  A native of Greensboro, Ga., Leonard was born Nov. 28, 1935, to Clifton and Linnie Elizabeth Payne. As a young man he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and retired from the National Guard Armory after 35 years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW-4).

Throughout his life, Leonard spent his time traveling with his family across the United States.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman as his love of travel and the outdoors was only surpassed by his love for his family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Edith S. Payne; daughter, Pamela Marie Payne; brother, Mike Payne; sisters, Clara Hopkins and Marie Whitley.

Leonard is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Coy Payne, Clarence Payne, Ellis Payne, Lois Rainey and Doris Moon.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, LA. 70605.  A Rosary will be recited at 11:30 a.m. with Catholic funeral rite to be celebrated at 12 p.m., also at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Coy Waggoner, Baylor Waggoner, Baron Waggoner, Joe Colombo, Steven Colombo and Ricky Seasock.  Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at Consolata Cemetery.