The Reverend Thomas Howard Payne

St. Simon's Island, GA - Father Thomas H. Payne died on St. Simons Island on May 17, 2010, one day before he would have celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood for the Diocese of Savannah. He would have turned 89 years old on June 4.
Thomas Howard Payne was born in Fairfield, Ohio, on June 4, 1921. He attended Marist Brothers Catholic Elementary School in Savannah. After graduating from Commercial High School in Savannah, he attended Saint Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland, and Saint Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, New York, before he was ordained to the priesthood for service in the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta by Auxiliary Bishop Francis Hyland. His ordination took place in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Savannah, on May 18, 1950.
After serving as assistant pastor of the Cathedral 1950-53 and Blessed Sacrament Parish, Savannah 1953-55, Father Payne was administrator pro tempore of Saint Michael Parish, Tybee Island from 1955-57. He was appointed pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Valdosta, in 1957, remaining there until 1970.
When Father Payne arrived in Valdosta, Saint John's church, school and convent were located in a small complex at Ashley and Adair Streets. By the time he left, he had relocated the parish plant to its current location on Gornto Road. During his tenure in Valdosta, the parish grew to about 300 families.
In 1970, Father Payne was appointed pastor of Saint Teresa Parish, Augusta. In 1972, he was granted a leave of absence from the Diocese of Savannah in order to serve in the missions of the Diocese of Juneau, Alaska for two years.
In 1974, he returned to the Diocese of Savannah as pastor of Saint Michael Parish, Tybee Island, where he remained until he retired from active ministry in 1995. During this time he supervised the construction of St. Michael's School. He served as the Presiding Priest at Oceanside Nursing Home for twenty-four years. He retired to St. Simon's Island in 1995.
Father Payne was a Fourth Degree Knight, Council 631, Knights of Columbus, Ordinary Confessor, Queen of Peace, Lakeland, FL, Extraordinary Confessor, St. Paul's Convent, Diocesan Scout Chaplain, Senator/Consultor and Secretary.
Apart from a brief return to Alaska, he spent his retirement years on Saint Simons Island.
Father Payne celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 2000 with a special Mass at Saint Michael Church, Tybee Island.
Father Payne was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Emma Payne, his brother, Bill Payne and his sister, Mary Bruce.
Growing up on Tybee Island as a military child prompted his love of travel. Alaska must have been a preview of Heaven. He loved every visit he made to Alaska and always wanted to return.
Most meals were cold by the time Grace was said at his table. He always remembered the prayer "The harvest was great, the laborers were few." He remembered the souls of the faithfully departed and anything else that currently needed prayer. He remembered in his prayer that hurricane's be averted from Tybee and Savannah. He now bequeaths that job to all his former parishioners.
Jesus asked John to take his mother at the foot of the cross and Father Payne took both his mother and his father and baptized his father on his death bed on the day of the Feast of St. Thomas, his given name.
Surviving are his sister, Ann Cudmore of Riverdale, UT; his sister-in-law, Betty Payne, St. Louis Park, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 pm.
Bishop J. Kevin Boland will celebrate Father Payne's Funeral Mass on May 20 in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Burial will follow in the Catholic Cemetery.
Remembrances may be sent to the Priests Retirement Fund, Catholic Pastoral Center, 601 E. Liberty Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.