James “Jim” Lindell Payne, age 73, of Kingston, Tennessee, passed away on August 10, 2026, at Cumberland Medical Center.

Mr. Payne was born on August 28, 1952, in Fairbanks, Alaska, son of the late Gilbert Payne and Mary Alice (Parrish) Payne.

Jim graduated SHAPE American Highschool (Belgium) in 1970. He proudly served our country in the United States Army from 1971 – 1974. After he was honorably discharged from the military, he attended MTSU where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and graduated in 1980. He then took a job as a nuclear technician in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Later in life Jim retired to his home in Kingston, Tennessee, where he spent his time watching golf and providing food and shelter for his adopted backyard menagerie of local wildlife.

He is survived by his children, Brian Payne (Kristy), Emily Frances Molina (Ruben), and Jason Levi Payne; grandchildren Annabelle Payne, Connor Payne, Elijah Molina, Mirabel Molina; sister, Patty Payne; brothers, Jerry Payne and Randy Payne; nieces, Tammy, Taylor, and Tiffany; and nephews, Aaron and Mathew Payne.

In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his brother, Ron Payne; and nephew, Eric Payne.

Celebration of life will be at a later date.

Arrangements and Care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Service.