John Thomas Payne, 58, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 03, 2006, at his residence following a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was born in Endicott, N.Y., on November 17, 1947, and graduated from Vestal High School in Vestal, N.Y., in 1965. He graduated from Elon College in Elon College, N.C., in 1969 with a BA degree in Business Administration. It was at Elon where he met and married his beloved wife, Angelia, of 39 years. Following graduation from Elon, he was drafted into the United Stated Army, serving for two years during the Vietnam War. Following that, he was employed in banking for several years and continued his education at Alamance Community College in Haw River, N.C., pursuing courses in computer programming. In his career, he worked in programming and management in Information Technology for Dan River Mills, Leesona Textile Machinery Manufacturers, Carolina Steel Corporation, Burlington Insurance and Volvo Trucks North America. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Calvin Payne. He is survived by his wife, Angelia E. Payne of the home; son, Jon Reginald Payne; and daughter, Mary Regina Payne Denmark, both of Los Angeles; mother, Bernice F. Payne, Durham, N.C., sister, Jacqueline L. Arn, Pittsburgh, Pa.; brother, Douglas H. Olson, Roanoke, Va.; brother, Kermit T. Payne, Delaware, Ohio; sister, Charlotte F. Payne, Durham, N.C.; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in both upstate New York and in North Carolina; and a very special aunt and uncle, Shannon and Raymond Payne, Burlington.

The family will receive friends in celebration of his life on this Earth from 6-8 p.m., Monday, June 5, at the residence of Raymond and Shannon Payne, 1848 West Buckhill Rd., Burlington. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 6, at the First Baptist Church of Burlington, with Mr. Dan Brock officiating. Per his request, his body will be cremated and his ashes subsequently will be scattered into the Pacific Ocean along the Pacific Coast Highway. The PCH has grown to become his favorite place on Earth during his recent years. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, N.C. 27513, or any favorite charity. Condolences may be sent to the family at info@richandthompson.com