Russell Scott Payant, age 58, of Marietta, Texas, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023, at his home. Russell was born May 12, 1964, in Izmir, Turkey, to Robert Ben Payant and Arla Faye Foutz Payant.

Russell was a United States Navy Veteran. He was the first K9 officer with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He also worked in the healthcare computer software industry as a customer support agent. Russell attended high school at Wurzburg American High School in Germany before moving to Texarkana and graduating from Arkansas High School. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and riding motorcycles. Russell loved animals, loved kids, and loved helping others. He was always a hard worker, and an honest and fair man.

Russell was preceded in death by his grandparents Harold and Zella Foutz and Marie Reilly; and one grandson Owen Jernigan.

Survivors include his wife, Rhonda Payant of Marietta; father, Bob Payant of Atlanta, Texas; two sons Brock Jernigan of Benton, Arkansas and David Jernigan of Texarkana, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Regina and Adam Lederhos of Fort Worth, Texas; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robin and Pamela Payant of Texarkana, Arkansas and Ron and Amy Payant of Wichita, Kansas; two grandchildren, Abigail Lederhos and Brody Lederhos; and numerous other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Harrison Funeral Home in Naples, Texas. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, at Harrison Funeral Home in Naples.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana, Arkansas.