Joseph Allen Payne

Joseph Allen Payne, age 67, of Abingdon, Maryland passed away on September 7, 2020 at his home. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, he was the son of Roy Irvin and Margaret (Wilson) Payne and husband of 46 years to Mary Diane (Rademacher) Payne. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandkids, being outdoors in nature, and watching old westerns on TV.

Joe was the epitome of “Pop-Pop”. He spent his life in service to his country and his family. His children and grandchildren were the focus of his life and he would drop anything to help his family, never accepting help in return. Joe was happiest surrounded by his eight grandchildren, with one of them inevitably napping on him as he lay rocking peacefully in a recliner. Joe was married to Diane for 46 years, spending the first half of their marriage traveling the world as an officer in the Army. He proudly served tours in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm and served in Germany, Korea, and 8 different US bases during his 24-year career, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His altruism was personified when Joe selflessly took a one-year unaccompanied tour in Korea to avoid moving his daughter in the middle of her senior year of high school. Upon completing his career in the military, Joe began his second career with the Battelle Memorial Institute, retiring after nearly 17 years as a program manager.

Joe is survived by his wife Diane, their two loving children and their spouses, Joseph Jr. (Amy) and Kathryn (Stephen Edwards), his eight adoring grandchildren, Juliet, Joseph III, Wyatt, Alexander, Cody, Weston, Andrew, and Cassidy; and three brothers, Paul and Russell Payne, and Larry Taylor.

The world is a lot lonelier without the World’s Best Pop-Pop..

The family will be hosting a memorial mass on Monday, September 21, 2020 at St. Margaret Catholic Church, Bel Air, Maryland at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice. One of Joe's favorites was Wounded Warriors.

To view a video provided by the family, please visit:https://youtu.be/ljN4tXNLtsE