Kip D. Payton

Kip D. Payton, age 70, of Trafalgar, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday evening, April 15, 2026, where he was reunited with his beloved wife, Denise.

Kip was born on January 20, 1956, in Franklin to the late Carl and Beatrice M. (Blackwell) Payton. He graduated from Franklin Community High School in 1974, where he was active in varsity football, track, and wrestling. Kip attended Indiana Central where he earned an Associates Degree in business. Kip was a self-employed Computer Systems Consultant and became widely respected as an expert in the glass and glazing industry. Early in his career, he worked at Kawneer in Franklin, where he was an estimator and later a trainer for PartnerPak software.  In retirement, Kip enjoyed volunteering and ushering at the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Kip was a devoted member of General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn for over 50 years. He served as an evangelist, traveling to preach, officiate weddings, and conduct funerals. Kip carried out these ministries with compassion, sincerity, and a personal touch that deeply impacted many. He and his beloved wife, Denise, will be remembered as faithful servants of God who were always ready to help those in need.

Kip had unparalleled wit and humor. He loved reading, especially books on presidential and American history. He enjoyed music, comic books, movies and sports. He also had a well-known fondness for coffee, often jokingly referring to himself as a “coffee snob.” He was fondly called Master Yoda by many of the young ones he mentored.

In addition to his parents, Kip was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 33 years, Denise (Fisher) Payton, whom he married on September 18, 1982, in DeWitt, Arkansas. She passed away on March 8, 2016.

Kip is survived by his siblings, Kim Payton (Heather) of Trafalgar and Karla Zylla of Franklin; his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Maleta and Dewayne Schmidt of Morgantown, Diane Fisher, and Vance and Teresa Fisher, both of DeWitt, Arkansas.

Though he had no children of his own, Kip deeply cherished the time he spent caring for his nieces, Bethany, Autumn, and Nicole. He loved and adored all of his nieces and nephews, as well as his great-nieces and great-nephews.

Surviving nieces and nephews: Tiffany (Aaron) Weir, Jared (Bridgett) Payton, Denver Payton & Samuel Payton; Travis Fisher, Emily Fisher, Kendra (Brad) Rainey, Bethany (Craig) Ellenberg, Autumn (Connor) Cunningham, Nicole (DJ) Barnes, Haley (Steven) Fortune, Makalynn Schmidt, Statler Schmidt, and Melissa (Kyle) Luebke. Greats: Win, Alli, Reesa, Cale, & Sevi Denise Weir; Millie Payton, Kaden Linton; Evan, Collin, Aden, Noah, Jack & Rafe Payton Ellenberg; Grant, Benjamin, Etta & Jade Barnes; Weston Rainey, Tate Fortune; Wyatt (Tessa) & Jackson Luebke and Owen Luebke.

Funeral services will be conducted by Bro. Stan White, Bro. Travis Brown, and Bro. Curtis Price on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Meredith Funeral Home, Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street, Morgantown. Burial will follow at East Hill Cemetery in Morgantown.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kip’s honor to Morgantown General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, 2896 W. Cottonwood Road, Morgantown, IN 46160.

Online condolences may be shared with the Payton family at meredithfuneral.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kip D. Payton, please visit our floral store.