Gerald "Jerry" A. Payton

Mr. Gerald A. "Jerry" Payton, age 63, of Keystone Heights passed away at his home, Sunday, May 15, 2016 following a battle with cancer. He was born in Palatka on December 15, 1952. After twenty years of service in the United State Army, Jerry retired as Sergeant First Class being in charge of Telecommunications. Following his retirement with the United States Army, Jerry started a new career with El Pasco County Sheriffs Office in Colorado Springs until he retired a second time. His third and final retirement was on March 1, 2015 running the 911 communications for the Clay County Sheriffs Office. Jerry was of the Baptist faith and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Alan Payton, his father, John D Payton, and one brother, Lamar Payton. Survivors are his mother, Mildred (Wimberly) Downs, and three sisters, Helen Hersey (Dewitt) and Lavon Sweeney (Rick) all of Keystone Heights and Sonya Taylor (Ed) of Okeechobee. Also left behind are two grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. Funeral services for Jerry will be 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in the Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jason Stephens officiating. Interment will follow at Gadara Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Haven Hospice, 6400 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177. Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. WALKER DR. KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com Cemetery Gadara Cemetery 4835 Gadara Road Keystone Heights FL 32656 US Funeral Service Wednesday, May 18, 2016 11:00 AM - Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL 32656 US (352) 473-3176 Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL - 32656 US (352) 473-3176