PAYSON, Philip Lear

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, June 06, 2011 Philip Lear Payson passed away on June 5, 2011, in Prescott, Ariz. He was born on Feb. 22, 1921, in Melrose, Mass., to Albert T. and Violet J. Payson. Philip grew up and attended high school in Melrose. He then served in the Boston Harbor Patrol. In 1942, Philip married his high school sweetheart, Priscilla "Pat" Wiggin in 1942. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps and in the Air Force during the Korean War. He retired as an Air Force Lt. Colonel after serving many years as a liaison officer to the A.F. Academy. In 1953, Philip brought his family to Phoenix, Ariz., where he started a real estate business and his daughter, Janet, was born. In 1957, the family moved to Prescott, Ariz., where he worked for the state Department of Economic Security until he retired in 1982. Philip's number one passion after his family was golf, winning the Prescott City Championship several times. Philip was an artist and he loved to garden, he also loved the ocean. He was a very community service minded person - helping out wherever possible as a Boy Scout troupe leader, Little League Coach, Prescott Boy's Club, President of YMCA, Toastmasters, U.S. Air Force Reserves (recruiter) and more. He was very active in his church. He founded and edited the International Ministry Magazine "The Trumpet," the International Gospel Tape Ministry, Men's Breakfast Ministry (Potter's House Christian Fellowship). Philip is survived by his son Jeff (Kathy) Payson of Houston, Texas; son Tom (Susan) Payson of Prescott, Ariz.; daughter Janet (Kevin) Foley of McMinnville, Ore.; grandchildren, John Payson, Jennifer Payson (Jason) Tamez, Ryan Payson, Kelly Payson, Tim Mainzer, Rachel (Robert) Dodd, Kristine (David) Maldonado, Jeremy (Alma) Foley, John (Sophie) Foley, Katharine Foley and Conor Foley; and 13 great grandchildren. A service for Philip will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2011, at The Potter's House, 5195 N. Highway 89, Prescott. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors.
Posted by Judy Wight Branson on June 07, 2011

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