James Payne,

JAMES HUGH PAYNE, SR., age 90 of Manassas, Virginia died Thursday, June 14, 2007 at Prince William Hospital, Manassas. Mr. Payne was born July 10, 1916 in Manassas, son of the late Henry Amos and Blanche Frances Daly Payne. His loving wife of 54 years, Marion Lynn Payne and one grandson, David H. Payne, preceded him in death. Survivors include three sons, James Hugh Payne, Jr. and wife Alice of Manassas, VA, Thomas H. Payne and wife Susette of Evanston, IL and John L. Payne and wife Antoinette of Manassas, VA; one brother, John Barton Payne and wife Evelyn of Manassas, VA and eleven grandchildren, Jennifer Bauer, Nancy McCarthy, Jeannette Payne, Susan O'Brien, Heather Lindh-Payne, Rebecca Payne, James E. Payne, Rosanna L. Payne, J. Michael Payne, Anthony J. Payne and Jefferson W. Payne. Mr. Payne, known affectionately as "Jim" to many, was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Manassas, a member of the Holy Name Society, and the original All Saints Boosters Club. He was proud to tell about the history of All Saints and the City of Manassas. As a veteran of World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corp later becoming the US Air Force. During the Korean Conflict he was recalled and served in an intelligence position. In the early 1950s he helped plan the establishment of the National Security Agency where he would eventually work. He was a charter member of the Manassas Lions Club, a founder of the Prince William Hospital Corporation, and served as a Board member and Chairman. As a member of the Manassas City Council from 1959 to 1994 and Vice Mayor for many of those years, Mr. Payne was proud of his many efforts to grow Manassas in planning for the future. During this time his accomplishments included the establishment of the Manassas Regional Airport, the creation of Lake Manassas, the City owned reservoir, the cogeneration of electricity, and the planning for the use of broadband over electrical lines. He was instrumental in preservation of Liberia Mansion and the Manassas Depot by negotiating with the owners to gain public ownership. He also was involved in establishing the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) serving as a Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commissioner and Vice Chairman. Mr. Payne was an early pilot and one of the first owners of an aircraft based at the Manassas Airport located at the current Manaport Shopping Center. He was also a partner and co-owner of the Messenger Press, a predecessor to the Manassas Journal Messenger. As a public servant he worked first as a journeyman printer at the Government Printing Office. In his later career with the Federal Government he regretted he could not tell his family and friends of his work in the Defense Intelligence Agency that eventually became the National Security Agency (NSA). He retired in 1973 to devote time to his family, church, and community. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 P.M. Monday, June 18, 2007 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas with Rev. Robert C. Cilinski officiating. Interment will follow at Stonewall Memory Gardens, Manassas. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Prince William Hospital, 8700 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20110 or to the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas, VA 20110 in memory of James Hugh Payne, Sr. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

James Payne,

July 10, 1916 - June 14, 2007