James Howard Payne, 87, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in the Lynn Care Center.

A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Maddox Funeral Home conducted by Pastor Danny Clegg. Interment will follow at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon, Virginia.

Mr. Payne was born December 15, 1929 in Washington, D.C., son of John Howard and Nancy Jobyna Kelly Payne. He was married to the late Jane Dempsey Payne.

Mr. Payne graduated from Washington-Lee High School, Class of 1948 after which he attended American University. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves. He worked for the Arlington County Police Department from 1951 to 1961, the D.A. Foster Trenching Co. from 1961 to 1975, and various heavy equipment companies until his retirement.

He was a member of the Front Royal Baptist Temple, Past-president of the Merrifield Lions Club (1960’s to 1970’s), and a member of the Signal Hill Lions Club in the 1980’s.

Surviving are a daughter Linda Payne Berry (Paul) of Manassas Park; a son John Arthur Payne (Beth) of Front Royal; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and two sisters.

The family will receive friends on Monday an hour prior to the service at the funeral home.