James Roger Payne - Mobile Memorial Gardens

James Roger Payne passed away peacefully on January 2, 2019 at home with his family after a long hard fought battle with illness. Roger was born on September 8, 1939 in Alexander City, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilbur and Mae Dean Payne. Roger is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Angela Kennedy Payne and by their daughters Cindy Payne Byrd (Van) and Katy Payne McCain (Eric). He is also survived by his grandsons Scott Byrd (Kathryn), David Byrd, Nathan McCain, and Matthew McCain. Roger graduated from Benjamin Russell High School in 1957 and received a degree in civil engineering from Auburn University in 1962. After working with several construction companies, he started his own business James R. Payne, Inc. in 1977. Golf was too frustrating, so Roger switched to hunting and fishing. Many happy times were spent at Gees Bend Hunting Club, the Dauphin Island house, and on the Cinkat fishing. He will always be remembered for his support of the Auburn Tigers - usually at an extremely loud volume. Roger was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and also loved attending the services at St. Francis on Dauphin Island. He enjoyed Mardi Gras as a KOR marshal. His accomplishments include Board of Directors Compass Bank, President Mobile County Roadbuilders, President Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, as well as a member of the boards of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, Penelope House, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Bay Nursing who took such good care of him in his last days. Visitation will be held at 11 AM on Monday, January 7, 2019 in the Parish Hall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 4051 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36608. Funeral service will follow in the church at noon with interment in Mobile Memorial Gardens, 6100 Three Notch Road, Mobile, AL 36619. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, St. Francis Episcopal Church, or the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.