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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has paid tribute to the late Laurence J. "Larry" Payne, who he described as a civic leader, facilitator, educator, mentor, and personal friend. Payne, who had been consulted by mayoral predecessors over the past three decades for assistance with conflict resolution, sadly succumbed to cancer.
"Throughout this entire time, Larry was battling cancer, but he did not hesitate to say yes to the assignment when I asked him," said Turner. He is currently serving his final days in Houston's highest office. His statement was issued on November 26 via a press release from the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Communications. "This City will be forever indebted to Larry Payne for his unselfish service and his wife and family for sharing him with us," added Turner. Reflecting on a personal loss he continued, "I shall miss my friend who left it all on the field."
The Houston CBS affiliate KHOU News reported that Turner appointed Payne as the chair of a task force focusing on policing reform. This task force was created following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody back in 2020.
The University of St. Thomas (UST) website notes that Payne graduated from their private institution in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in theology. Dr. Richard Ludwick, UST President recognized Payne's contributions across multiple sectors including public services, education, non-profit organizations and religious settings."He is the ultimate connector...connecting people from entirely different walks of life and helping them connect with their deepest truth." stated Ludwick on the website.
Legacy.com featured an obituary for Payne revealing that he was born in Orange Texas on November 16th 1950. Raised Catholic faith played a significant role in his life and plans have been made to lay him to rest at St Mary's Catholic Cemetery within his hometown early next month according to information found within the obituary.