Paul Jeffrey Layne

Paul Jeffrey Layne was born in Mesquite, TX on July 17, 1954, to Ervin R. Layne and Martha Layne Futrell. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side on September 12, 2022. Paul lost his fight in the hospital to a serious blood clot and the complications that followed. Paul truly was a “one in a million man” which has been repeated by so many who have expressed their condolences to family and friends. To know Paul was to love him, and to be known by Paul was pure joy. Paul made you feel as you were a long-lost best friend when he greeted you. To be in Paul’s world, where everyone was welcome, was to be in the best seat in the house, and many times that was at the SMU football games. He never missed a game, home or away, for 50 years.

While known for being an SMU Super Fan, Paul was better known as a very kind and warm person who always had a smile.  He was positive, humble and had great stories to share. His love and loyalty to his friends was beyond reproach. That same love poured over into his love of animals, especially dogs and cats. Paul and Trina shared a passion for taking in rescues and finding them their fur-ever homes.  His beloved cats, Tebow and Magic, brought him so much love and happiness. 

Paul graduated from Mesquite High School in 1972 and was a Mesquite Skeeter through and through. During his senior year at MHS, he was the President of the Student Council, editor of the school paper and Vice President of his Senior Class. Paul continued his education at Southern Methodist University and his journey to gain the title of “Super Fan” began. He was a Sports Reporter for SMU’s “The Daily Campus”, then became an SMU Cheerleader. He graduated from SMU in 1976. 

Paul went to every SMU football game, both home and away since he was a freshman at SMU in 1972. This included traveling to Tokyo and Hawaii for bowl games. His “Super Fan” streak of 542 consecutive games led to many opportunities, including being featured by many of the local news organizations, as well as ESPN. In 2009, he was the recipient of the SMU Letterman’s Association Honorary Letter Award. In 2018 he was presented with the Mustang Band Beanie from the Diamond M Club, which is rarely bestowed upon non-band members. Paul recently began his 3-year term and looked forward to serving on the SMU Alumni Board.

Whether working at Southwest Airlines for the past 32 years or as a Realtor with the Layne-Rothwell Group at Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate for the past 16 years, Paul was always the best. In Real Estate, he was consistently a Multi-Million Dollar Producer year after year. He excelled in every avenue of his life. We will miss Paul immensely, but he will forever live in our memories and stories.

Paul Layne is survived by his life and work partner, Trina Rothwell; mother, Martha Futrell; brother, Allan [and wife Gladys] Layne; sister, Amy [and husband Jim] Rodgers; sisters-in-law, Diana Rothwell [and husband Larry Miller], Dana [and husband Danny] Herin; nephews, Allan Jr. [and wife Tammy] Layne, Cade Herin; nieces, Alicia [and husband Ricky] Coplin, Holly [and husband Ramsey] Wallace, Taylor [and husband Austin] McDonald; great nephews, Caden Coplin, Riott McDonald, Brooks McDonald; great nieces, Kinley Coplin, Palmer Wallace; godson, Denim Joe Brown; dear friends, Jim Barnett, Chris Brown, Clint Bench, Fred Foote, Bobby Waters, Jim Holt, Ken Randolph and Kellie Prinz Johnson; as well as countless friends, classmates, and colleagues.

A heartfelt thank you from the family to the incredible doctors, surgeons, nurses and staff of Baylor Medical Center Dallas, Roberts Building, 7th Floor ICU, for the compassionate and dedicated care provided to Paul and the family.  You are a credit to your professions, and we truly appreciate all you did for his last 35 days.

 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Paul Layne’s name to one of his favorite organizations:  
Operation Kindness, SMU Football, or SMU Cheer

Memorial Service:

Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.

Highland Park United Methodist Church

3300 Mockingbird Lane

Dallas, TX 75205

Celebration of Life:

Following Memorial Service

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom

Located on the 3rd Floor of the

Umphrey Lee Center

3300 Dyer Street

Dallas, TX 75205

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Paul Jeffrey Layne, please visit our Tree Store.