Spc. Payton A. Jones, 19, of Marble Falls, Texas died Mar. 1, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during an attack on his base. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

Payton graduated from Marble Falls High School in 2010 and left shortly after for his military training. He loved football and most other sports. He loved surfing, swimming, jumping out of planes, and most other outdoor activities.

He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. He had an amazing sense of humor and could always bring a smile to everyone's face.

Survivors include his mother, Tami Sims; sisters, Sidney Jones and Maggie Mae Brown, niece Layla Kent, all of Austin, grandfather, Russell Kent Sims, Jr and grandmother, Kathy Sims. He is also survived by aunts, one uncle, several cousins, and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Mae Christy Wooten.

Information courtesy of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home.