Obituary of James C. Payne

James C. “Jim” Payne, 82, of Missouri City, Texas, passed from this life on Sunday, January 19, 2014, after a long illness. Born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 25, 1931, he grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Graduating from ThomasJeffersonHigh School in 1948, he subsequently attended Texas A & M (class of 1953) before enlisting and serving honorably in the United States Air Force. After military service he embarked on a twenty-five year career in the Houston area banking industry. For over nine years he worked as a commercial loan officer and Vice President of Chemical Bank & Trust, on Kirby Drive. Subsequently he was employed for seven years as Executive Vice President of Guaranty Bank in Sharpstown before serving as President of Commonwealth Bank in the Astrodome area and later, as President of Republic Bank in San Antonio, Texas. In the 1980’s he opened his own consulting firm working with small businesses for their accounting needs and assisting them with SBA loan applications and tax issues. He retired in the early 2000s due to declining health. He is preceded in death by his parents, James R. Payne, Jr and Billie Bramlet Payne. Jim is survived by the love of his life, Georgia White Payne, his wife and life partner of 61 years. He is also survived by their three sons: The Rev. James T. Payne (Deborah) and George Riley Payne; all of Missouri City, Texas, and by Michael Patrick Payne (Patricia) of Frisco, Texas as well as by four grand-children: Heather M. Payne; Anna Payne Rosa (husband Aaron); Michael P. Payne, Jr., and by Madison R. Payne. Jim was a former member of the Corps of Cadets, and a life-long Aggie. In addition to Texas A & M athletics, he loved sports, playing basketball and baseball as a young man, coaching various youth sports, and being an avid swimmer into old age. He also enjoyed history, old movies and good Mexican food. A Christian, he was a member of St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Church in Houston, from 1995 until his death. He will be missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Thomas of Canterbury Memorial fund, 14007 South Freeway, Houston, Texas 77047. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Clayton Funeral & Burial Services, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581, (281-485-4446). The Very Rev. Jason R. Grote will officiate. Private burial will follow at Forest Park Lawndale.