Jack Lloyd Payne, died unexpectedly August 20, 2025 from a heart attack,at the age of 79. One of seven children, Jack was born on December 10, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan to Martin DeForest Payne and Barbara Fairchild Payne.

He grew up in Madison Heights, Michigan, attending Lamphere High School before marrying the love of his life, Phyllis Diane Burgess, in 1968. He served in the U.S. Army stationed in Frankfurt, Germany.Following military service, Jack worked as a Ford mechanic in Detroit. In 1976, Jack moved his young family to Cookeville Tennessee where they settled next to family in the Burgess community, remaining there the rest of his life. Jack drove dump trucks for over three decades.

Jack enjoyed woodworking; gifting countless pieces of furniture, wooden toys, and cutting boards to family and friends. A fearless do-it-yourselfer, Jack more than doubled his family's home in size. Doing the plan, pouring the foundation, framing, roofing, plumbing, wiring, etc. by himself with less than a shoestring budget, and only two unwilling children for his crew. Jack delighted in a good story, gardening, guns, collecting pocket knives and old tools, British cars, playing pool, public television, his three grandchildren, and spending time with his neighbor Charlie. He was known for his chili.

Jack is survived by his children, Jack Payne II, Beth Maree (Pierre);  granddaughter Sofia Payne, grandsons Samuel Payne and Peter Maree; brother Gene Payne, Janet Schmidt (Jim), Marilyn Sylvain (Gerald), Cathy Kay (John), and their respective families, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, wife, Phyllis (Burgess) Payne, and his sister, Dorothy Enger and brother, Karl Payne.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 20 at Howard Cemetery, Cookeville, Tennessee at 11:30 AM. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks any donations be made to your own local library or public school in Jack's memory.