Tommy "T.J." Harold Payne Jr. passed away Sept. 23, 2016, in Gainesville Health and Rehabilitation Center in Gainesville, Virginia. Tommy had recently experienced several very serious health issues, but was showing positive signs of recovery when he unexpectedly passed.
Tommy was born Aug. 14, 1945, in Benton to the late Aleta and Tommy H. Payne Sr. of Ewing. He was the second of their two children.
Survivors include his son, Joshua, and daughter, Amanda, both of Austin, Texas, and daughter, Ashley, and son-in-law, Howard, of Boston; sister, Brenda Bain (Jim) of Gainesville, Virgina, and their children and grandchildren; and many dear lifelong friends.
Tommy lived his early life on the family farm near Ewing, and he was a member of First Christian Church of Benton. Following grade school in Ewing, he graduated from Benton High School in 1963 and entered studies at the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. Subsequent to his academic studies, Tommy and his father owned and operated a number of small businesses in and near Benton.
For many years, he was a commercial, long-distance driver and trainer, who traveled extensively across north America. Tommy earned several safety and training awards during his career, including super-trainer status and recognition for having driven more than 3 million miles. He was notably fond of his travels to Alaska, Mexico and the many scenic parts of the USA.
When his health began to decline in the early 2000s, he retired to rural Virginia. His many joys in retirement included the company of his extended family, communicating with his many lifelong friends, and the tranquility of watching wildlife in the early morning Virginia countryside.
Family and friends knew Tommy for his warmth, congeniality and loyalty. He was a welcomed raconteur in conversations on any subject by all who knew him. He is and will long be missed.
