James Michael Payne

James Payne
October 10, 1947 - July 12, 2021
James Michael Payne, 73, died after an extended illness on July 12th at the VA Hospital in Durham, North Carolina.
James was born October 10, 1947, in Niagara Falls, NY to the late Cecil (1996) and Eileen (2013) Payne. He graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1965. James then spent 10 years traveling the world while serving in the United States Navy, working as a Machinist Mate, 1st Class, upon the U.S.S. O’Hare. After his Naval service, James returned to Niagara Falls, where he met and married his wife of 38 years, Susan. They had two children, Julianne and Jeremy. For 18 years, James supported the family by working as a stationary engineer at DuPont. James and Susan relocated to Durham, NC in 2019 to be closer to their daughter.
James was an adventurous, easygoing, and creative person. He loved music, especially the blues. He attended local concerts on his own and spent his retirement years working part-time at a local music shop. He also enjoyed camping with his family at Niagara Woodland Campground. He was a loyal fan of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills through many disappointing seasons. As he got older, he enjoyed cooking - a role he assumed earlier in life on behalf of his fellow Naval officers. He spent his final years taking leisurely walks and swims and watching his favorite television show, “The Big Bang Theory.”
James was a supportive and dutiful husband, father, son, and brother. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Susan Payne (Rimmer); daughter, Julianne Payne and her husband, Jeff Willison; and son, Jeremy Payne and his wife, Krystal Payne (Magno). He is also survived by his brother Francis “Frank” Payne (Sharon), sister Mary Jordan (James- 2019), sister Elizabeth Schlosser (Michael Mash), and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Patrick (2011) (Michelle- 2021).
A service honoring James’ life will be held at Hall-Wynne in Durham, NC on Friday, July 16th. Donations in James’ honor can be sent to the Durham VA Health Care System at https://www.durham.va.gov/giving/